Individual Action Needed in Health Care Debate

Individual actions can still make a difference in the health care debate.

This thought is the focus of my Letter to the Editor (click on the link) appearing in both the print and online editions in the current Saturday, September 26, 2009 local bi-weekly newspaper, The Claremont Courier.

There is another significant article in The Courier,in an opinion piece “My Side of the line” “Can a blog help sell newspapers?” by Peter Weinberger, Editor and Publisher for which I’ve provided a link above. His article could be the subject for a whole other blog post here, but for now I just want to say this.

I’m very proud of our local newspaper. Our city is fortunate that Mr. Weinberger left an east coast news position in recent years to assume the responsibility for our newspaper when his parent owners retired. I like his progressive attitude and foresight in embracing the Internet and paper print editions. As you’ll note in his article he relates a story that demonstrates how a blogger benefited magazine subscriptions for The Atlantic. All bloggers and newspaper aficionados want to read what he says and think about how we can be mutually supportive for everyone’s benefit including non-bloggers and those who don't use the Internet.

My Letter to the Editor expresses concern about the current health care debates in Congress. I reference Ronni Bennett’s recent post “The Baucus Health Care Reform Bill” urging readers to access that post and blog for future up to date information on the progressive evolution of any health care reform bill(s.) Importantly, readers are urged to actively pursue their Congresspersons to express their views so all may receive health care and strongly urge them to meaningful action.

I conclude my letter by directing comments specifically to my Republican Representative, David Dreier. He has failed to recognize or at least acknowledge that a large number of constituents he represents in our community want a health care plan for all our citizens. There are many other views he has about a health care plan that are not representative of what I and many citizens regard as necessary components of any plan adopted.

Following are some questions which I believe he and all who are truly weighing health care issues in their minds might want to think about. I’ve provided my responses.

What do we believe in with regard to our fellow persons?

Is basic health care a right or a privilege?
HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE A RIGHT

Should health care be available to all or just some individuals?
HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL CITIZENS.

Is health care for profit more cost effective than non-profit health care?
HEALTH CARE FOR PROFIT IS TYPICALLY LESS COST EFFECTIVE THAN NON-PROFIT HEALTH CARE.

How does the cost of our health care compare to that of many other nations?
PRETTY LOW, SINCE WE RANK 2nd IN DOLLARS SPENT ON HEALTH CARE AS A PERCENTAGE OF GPD WHICH IS EXCESSIVELY MORE THAN OTHER COUNTRIES PROVIDING A HIGHER LEVEL OF QUALITY CARE FOR ALL OF THEIR CITIZENS. Click here for these World Health Organization rankings.

How does the quality of our health care compare to that of many other nations?
IF PREVENTABLE DEATHS ARE ANY INDICATION WE RANK PRETTY POORLY – 14th AMONG SELECTED COUNTRIES WITH FRANCE lst, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA TIED FOR 2nd, SPAIN AND ITALY TIED FOR 3rd, CANADA 4th.
Click here for these World Health Organization rankings.

Why can’t we have a single payer system and cut out so many middle people siphoning off the health care dollar between the patient and the caregiver?
BECAUSE SO MANY LIES AND SCARE TACTICS HAVE BEEN USED BY OPPONENTS ON BEHALF OF INSURANCE AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TOO MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THEM AND FAIL TO LEARN THE FACTS.

Why should we settle for less than the single payer system we know to be best?
WE SHOULDN’T. EVERYONE NEEDS TO STRONGLY MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO THEIR CONGRESSPERSONS – REPEATEDLY.

Do we need the hodge podge of insurance companies providing our health care when their primary goal is to make money?
NO, COST SAVINGS ARE OFTEN ACHIEVED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES AT PATIENT SERVICES EXPENSE, NOT CUTS IN ADMINISTRATIVE PERKS, SALARIES, LOBBYIST FEES AND ACTIVITIES.

Do our current health insurance companies engage in denials of service?
YES, BUT WHY AREN’T MANY INSURANCE COMPANY DENIALS DESCRIBED APPROPRIATELY AS THEY ARE – RATIONING ….. FOR THE COMPANY PROFIT!

Does the government pay some insurance plans more Medicare dollars than they pay others for the same regular Medicare coverage?
YES, WITH THE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM WHICH MAKES EXCESSIVE OVER-PAYMENTS TO THESE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Click here for more about this health reform.

Is canceling that program a cost-cutting measure that should be enacted immediately? Y E S !!!

Why do health care change opponents seem to ignore the fact a vast majority of Medicare recipients and Veterans express satisfaction with their insurance coverage if these government run medical care programs are as inefficient as some politicians misrepresent?
AGAIN, BECAUSE THE OPPONENTS CHOOSE TO PREVARICATE AND IGNORE THE FACTS.

Are there abuses in these programs? YES. CONSTANT ONGOING PURSUIT OF THOSE WHO ABUSE THE SYSTEM IS NECESSARY AND SHOULD OCCUR IN EVERY PRIVATE BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT OPERATION AND ALL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH A FINANCIAL COMPONENT.

Why can’t Medicare negotiate uniform drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies for all of the needed medicines instead of the currently excessively expensive system?
A STRONG POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT:
…DRUG COMPANY MONIES DONATED TO OUR CONGRESS PERSONS POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
…JOBS PROVIDED BY SOME OF THESE SAME COMPANIES TO EMPLOYEES AFTER THEY LEAVE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT
… MAY TEND TO INFLUENCE THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN AN OATH TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CONSTITUENTS THEY REPRESENT TO DO OTHERWISE.
…WE WOULD BE WISE TO RESEARCH THE DONATION LISTS OF OUR CONGRESSPERSONS FOR JUST SUCH INFORMATION.

Health care issues continue to be very pertinent as our Congress attempts to determine what options will be included in the final plan recommendation to the President. Many possibilities still are in flux.

Bi-partisanship between the major two political parties appears to be a fantasy. Some Representatives and Senators are entrenched with ideological positions that don’t reflect our world today. Others may have sincere motivations to justify their views.

Then there are those who have made it very clear their primary goal is to oppose meaningful change simply to thwart any possible progress that might reflect positively on their political opponents. This latter group are the ones whose names we should all note and remember come next election time. They have no value in our political system. In fact, they are a singularly destructive force detrimental to the good of the American people.

Progress and change are often not easy and can take many long years to achieve on some issues. Those of us who have lived through most of the twentieth century know that truth first hand. Those who are familiar with history through the ages know this truth all too well. We know within ourselves it is moral, ethical, and just that all human beings have health care. Now it is up to each of us to put forth whatever effort we can to make health care for all in this great nation of ours become a reality in 2009.

Route 66, Music, Memories

Historic U.S. Highway Route 66 in San Bernardino, California is having a 20th year anniversary "Rendezvous" celebration this weekend. Good food, contests, and entertainment are on the agenda. The event is limited to 1,900 vehicle entrants of "pre-1974 classics, customs, hot rods and any year Corvette." The participants have an assigned parking space during this 4-day event where aficionados can engage in technical car talk and fans can simply marvel at the colors, sheen and styles. Drivers are also invited to cruise the 35 blocks of downtown where up to an expected 500,000 spectators will be admiring their vehicles.

The promotion for this event caught my attention as I've noted what seems to be an increasing interest and nostalgia for "The Mother Road"(map link) which runs from "Chicago to L.A." as a famed song lyric goes. I travel portions of this road regularly since it runs through my home area of Southern California where a long segment is called Foothill Boulevard.

My husband in his single days back in the '50's drove that route with his bachelor buddies on a whirlwind summer round trip vacation from the Midwest to the West Coast. Their adventure stories were always filled with humor and accounts of the unexpected. They had very little money to start and none by the time they returned home. What's a trip for young single male college students without meeting some like-minded adventurous college girls with whom to play car tag across some of the miles, especially if there's time to work in a side trip to Las Vegas.

He was fascinated by the changing countryside from Ohio's green flat land with rolling hills with which he was familiar, to the long stretches of summer brown landscapes emerging west of the Mississippi. Then on to some western desert area with never-ending vast blue skies. The land of towering date palms began to emerge evolving into miles and miles of citrus tree orchards and finally sandy beaches reaching out into the Pacific Ocean. Long periods of steady trade-off relief driving kept them on the road a lot. Still, he could never quite understand how one buddy could be content to sleep so much between departure points and destinations with so much new and different to be experienced.

Two of these travelers were musicians but all were well-acquainted and appreciative of a tune written in 1947 by Bobby Troup and first recorded that year by Nat King Cole. Here's a later YouTube video performance of Nat and his quartet:



Years later The Manhattan Transfer popular vocal quartet's recording became one of their signature tunes as in this YouTube video:



When we met and wed years later, even before and after we moved West, we took extensive driving trips that included some side jaunts on still existing segments of the original Route 66. Freeways and new highways have long since bypassed some of the old road's communities. Many landmark motels and businesses have long since closed. Some establishments have survived. There is a resurgence of old and new businesses along existing Route 66 with new travelers joining those who come to reminisce. Signs are increasing in number announcing the location's recognition of this significant highway in the historical lore of our country from another time.

Julie Wilson Supperclub Chanteuse

Supperclub Diva Julie Wilson was the first chanteuse I had the pleasure of enjoying in person. These were the days in the mid to late '50's when nite clubs with live entertainment consisting of bands and singers were prevalent. Everyone dressed up, guys in suits or tuxedos and women in what were considered classic sophisticated sexy cocktail dresses or longer floor length gowns with fancy high heel shoes. Women usually had a "little black dress" sometimes low cut in the front, sleeveless, body clinging, to wear in the evening for just such a glamorous occasion. A pearl necklace or maybe some rhinestone jewelery would suffice in place of diamonds for those of us with lesser means.

Here's a look at what one such dress of that era looked like, referred to here as a "Marilyn-dress." I don't recall any of us thinking of Marilyn Monroe in conjunction with wearing this dress as this name implies so think it's likely a recent name concoction. I didn't know anyone who aspired to be that Marilyn as most of us thought she wasn't too bright and a little shallow if all she had to offer was a sexy appearance. Some men may have thought differently. This dress would have fit me just fine except the waist and hip sizes are each two inches too large. Inevitably seems my girl pals were small and petite so while I knew I looked good, I actually thought I was too big. Well ..... I couldn't fit into that dress today and it wouldn't be too big anywhere.

In those late '50's I was living in a midwest Great Lakes state small town to which I had moved earlier from a southern state further west so I welcomed learning all I could about this new area. A new friend told me about a supperclub called Danny Deeds Maramor that her older boyfriend had often described to her. She said she thought it would be fun to go there. He was a traveling sales manager for whom she had once worked but was out of town again as he often seemed to be, returning only on occasional weekends. This was "the club" where name entertainers from New York to Chicago and Los Angeles were booked to perform, but was located in a metropolitan city a distant two hours away.

The times were such that respectable young single women in this part of our country did not usually go out to clubs, or other venues where both genders might be unless they had a male escort. The women who did go without a male were often assumed to be of questionable character, especially in our little town, even by people who knew the young women from very respectable daytime settings. We discovered my friend who had often been in some local settings with her boyfriend was even presumed to have some nefarious purpose in mind if she showed up when he was out of town to mix with friends they both had. We concluded we could overcome that view when I expressed a willingness to join her for occasional nights out anyway. I had long since concluded I knew what I was about and believed I could easily handle any undesirable situation that came my way and did, as needed.

Then there was the day I always remember when I was tapped on the shoulder one lunch time as I gazed at a department store window display. I turned to see what appeared to be a middle-aged woman I had never seen before and did not know. She smiled and kindly shared with me that "You are such a nice girl, but your friend is not good company and I wouldn't want to see you corrupted," or words to that effect. I was so startled but she was quickly gone, having scurried back to a man I assume must have been her husband. I was only bemused by this poor well-meaning creature once I recovered from her intrusion. I trust her conscience was relieved that she had done her utmost to protect me from exploitation.

Despite all this my friend and I decided we would make the two hour drive to "the big city." Though her boyfriend wouldn't be there, she thought we could stay in the respectable downtown hotel where he stayed when in town on business. She also knew of the nearby equally respectable club that had excellent food and live musical entertainment. At that time in that part of the country people generally considered having to drive an hour or more, or even less, hardly a drive to undertake just for entertainment. But we were young and adventurous so we drove to the city one Saturday, checked into our hotel, dressed ourselves in our evening attire after applying our obligatory makeup, carried our evening wrap and gloves (the well-dressed woman didn't go anywhere without gloves even in the daytime) and sauntered purposefully over to this supperclub for dinner and entertainment.

Years later when I worked at the Columbus, Ohio television station after moving to this city, the live program I helped produce booked entertainers from the Maramor club to entertain our audience and viewers while promoting their local appearance. My husband sometimes accompanied name entertainers there who needed what are known as pickup musicians to augment their own instrumentation, including Betty Hutton
of "Annie Get Your Gun" fame. Some of those entertainers, Gordon and Sheila MacRae I recall, used to come to a nearby hotel after their show ended to unwind and listen to the piano player who was accompanied on acoustic bass by my husband, a duo.

I recall returning to that club when my husband and I were dating for an evening of dinner and listening to Mel Torme's perfect pitch singing voice. Our table was ringside, a far cry from the table practically behind a post my girlfriend and I were given my first night ever in that club.

That night my girlfriend and I did not sense that we were welcomed by the club's owner, probably for two reasons. We didn't have a reservation and two young women unescorted by a male might well be there for questionable reasons. Two males unescorted by females would have been fine, because they clearly would come only for the food and entertainment to see this provocative sexy singer.

I don't remember the dinner, though I'm sure the food was quite good. The bill, and I assume we left a tip (though tipping protocol would have been new to us,) coupled with any cover charge probably was quite expensive for us considering our working girl salaries. I don't recall my friend's reaction to the evening as she didn't share my enthusiasms for many experiences, but I thoroughly enjoyed the night. I was ever so pleased we were actually going to be entertained by one of the most sought after supperclub divas who performed in the top New York City supperclubs and other similar classy venues and in London.

Julie Wilson, a Broadway star and cabaret singer was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1924 as described in the msn.com biography. In New York she performed at the Latin Quarter and Copacabana. Here's the young Julie who appeared in an American television production of Kiss Me, Kate in 1958 singing "Always True to You (Darlin' In My Fashion")



"She starred in the London musical Bet Your Life (February 18, 1952), which ran for 361 performances and produced a cast album on the English Columbia label, and she replaced Mary Martin in the starring role in the London production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific. While remaining based in London, but commuting back to New York, she resumed her career as a nightclub singer, appearing in the Persian Room at the Plaza Hotel" according to the MSN biography.

She sings from her 1957 album "My Old Flame:"
"You Don't Know What Love Is"



This is the Julie Wilson cabaret singer I recall seeing as she sings
"I Refuse to Rock and Roll" on her 1958 live album "At the St. Regis."




Here's Julie at the open mic at the Gardenia:




Julie performing at age 85 with her trademark boas sexy as ever singing
"I'm a Bad Woman" "but I'm good company" she says.



This is Julie "...performing at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's NYC Cabaret Convention ("I Can't Give You Anything But Love", "The Man I Love"), introduced by Donald Smith, with musical director Christopher Denny at the piano" the YouTube information provides.


Producer/Director: Richard Currier (excerpt from "Put Your Hands Together") with "Bravo" from writer columnist Liz Smith as noted on YouTube:

"JULIE HAS THE LAST LAUGH!!! At 85, the "kid from Omaha" Nebraska and actor (Holt McCallany)'s mom, still tosses her famed "Red Boa" around like "nobody's business". This clip, from her Cabaret Sh..."


I really love when these now older performers, men and women, but especially women revered as sex symbols demonstrate they're still vibrant and alive.

I don't know if Julie Wilson has had any more recent appearances, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's still swinging her trademark red boa somewhere.

American Character

A sense of justice for the strong and security for the weak succinctly paraphrases how Mark Shields, Syndicated Columnist, described the health care plan philosophic focus of President Obama’s address to the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress 9/9/09. This concept is a fundamental aspect of the American character as noted by the President who cited for this view supportive historical references including an account of how Medicare was established.

The President noted that too much government is as dangerous as too little government. The implication is that this needed health care change falls within a safe range for government involvement and would not tip that precarious balance.

There have been many lies and distortions about what health care bill changes will and will not do in an effort to scuttle the program but President Obama effectively explained the truth in each instance. He appropriately chastised those who so deliberately put forth such falsehoods. The failure of those select guilty Congresspersons to react and to instead just sit on their hands speaks volumes about their morals and humanity as others around them applauded. Voters would be wise to identify them and seek to make certain they’re never reelected to office again. That might also be a good action for constituents of Joe Wilson of South Carolina who was so disrespectful shouting out during the President’s speech. He has reportedly since apologized.

President Obama stated to all present that “…we didn’t come to fear the future, we came to shape it.” This was a strong admonishment for our Congress to finally take some action on health care reform. Considering 56 years have passed since the first healthcare bill was introduced in 1943, the fact our current system is unsustainable, the time for change is now.

The rebuttal by Dr. Chas. Boustany, Republican of Louisiana, stated this health care plan would not lower costs and quality of care would decrease. He decried this plan would result in 53 new government bureaus and 500 billion in Medicare cuts. The implication was health care rationing would be implemented under this new plan.

Well, I’m a health care worker, too, and I see how the system works. Costs are not lowering now. They’re going up and up with quality of care decreasing. If in doubt do a search on how our health care system compares with those in other countries. If, as he mentioned, any new government bureaus are needed we might well expect them to function similarly to Medicare which has proven to be quite cost effective compared with health insurance companies. Of course, if even some of those alleged bureaus could be incorporated into the Medicare system it just might be even more cost effective.

Regarding the Dr.’s reference to Medicare cuts, they have continued to be made for quite a few years now and may continue from necessity if the health care status quo continues. I think the ideal plan is a single payer plan but many lies have been told about how that would be. Consequently mindless fear has run rampant resulting in that plan no longer being an option, apparently. I didn’t hear him mention the possibility of displacing the health insurance companies as a cost saving measure. When you think about all the insurance people there are between the patient and the health care provider who take portions of the health care dollar, it’s no wonder health care costs are so high. Think of all the health care workers freed up to practice medicine and alleviate shortages -- doctors and nurses, possibly other office type workers.

I do have a very real concern that more significant Medicare cuts will occur IF a public insurance option is not in any new health care plan. The expected result with a public insurance option is that health insurance companies will have to be competitive so will finally reduce their costs somewhat. Insurance companies do have a vested interest to their shareholders, Wall St. and executive salaries to have all citizens be required to purchase insurance. You can be certain they look forward to making money on this action. Yet, what do we hear about – need to reduce payments to doctors, possibly other care providers, lower reimbursements to hospitals.

Ever since I gagged on hearing health insurance officials declare early this year they would cuts costs I’ve wondered why they haven’t done this before and exactly what costs would be cut. I know they named some cost cutting areas but with no mention of patients directly reaping the consequences through cuts in care. I suggest they’ve been doing that for years and will likely continue with their practice of cutting patient care and possibly ramping it up. Can’t we consider that to be “rationing?” Just think we’ve had rationing all along but health insurer reformer opponents would have us believe we’ll only get it if we change our current system. Are we really so poorly informed we believe them?

If we truly want to reduce health care costs, then ideas such as others have suggested in recent years would need to be adopted. The government engaging in drug price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies for large bulk purchasing would be one such cost reduction idea. Another such cut should be eliminating the bonanza flat payment that insurers receive for those who sign over their Medicare coverage to the insurer. Financial data show that payment to provide excessive profits for insurers at taxpayers expense.

American character again comes to mind. I hope it’s not greed disguised as legitimate profiteering. Why do so many business people, companies and large corporations, including health care, justify immoral actions because “it’s just business?” Haven’t they learned anything from the recent financial debacle from which we have not yet completely extricated ourselves?

Have these business people, stock holders and congressional persons who claim to represent “the people – you and me” no compassion for the rest of us? What about the little verse most of us learned as children, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Do any of them take that seriously and practice the sentiment?
They don’t even want to give all our citizens what we’ve given them – excellent free health care coverage. Unlike many citizens, most congress people could likely pay out of pocket for their own health care. There's a cost savings for them to enact.

I think we’re long past due for obstinate ideological positions to be set aside and focus given to practical solutions to a long standing problem that is only going to become worse if no action is taken. Some bipartisan health care changes desperately need to be taken based on rational reasonable choices made with compassion. A public insurance option needs to be part of any plan offered since that seems to be the only choice left to us presently.

Unorthodox Pets

Pets come in all forms, shapes and sizes -- animate and otherwise. Some selections may be considered unorthodox by other people, but that doesn't deter me from considering unusual possibilities.

Praying Mantids and Lady Bugs have long fascinated me as have Walking Sticks, too. I planned to write about my experience with the mantid and the lady bugs earlier this year. Events did not develop quite as I expected so I could share pictures of matured creatures. Here's what happened.

This past spring when I entered a local hardware/garden store where I was confronted with a display selling containers of young lady bugs and praying mantids eggs. These two insects are natural predators who devour certain unwanted destructive bugs preying on any vegetables, flowers and other garden plants. I decided to splurge, unable to resist purchasing one container each of these insects.



I intended to put the praying mantids egg-like container into a fishbowl per one recommended option so I could observe their gradual emergence once they developed to hatching stage. The more I thought about them, I even considered keeping a couple as pets since the instructions suggested that might be a possibility if I kept them fed -- ground meat was mentioned.

Unlike other pets I've had, they wouldn't have to be walked with the ever present plastic bag I'd have to tote so I could stoop over to pickup a stinky mess to carry along until disposing it later at home. Likewise there would be no need for rug clean-up after an inevitable sickness or potty accident. There would be no toiletry litter box inside the house threatening unwanted aromas if not replaced periodically. No messy hairballs, or urinary tract infections causing uncontrolled sense of urgency resulting in neutered male felines unintentionally spraying the guest room bed pillow. I certainly wouldn't be subjected either to those manipulative behaviors of eye gazes, cunning growls, or hypnotic purrs often emanating from some pets to which I often succumb much too easily. These prospective pets I was considering would be quiet, making not a sound.

There would be no fish bowl requiring water to be changed or containing new little ones to be protected from being eaten by their mother. I reasoned that I could always turn my pet praying mantids loose in a tree if unknown forces caused them to acquire unmanageably large proportions or they became vicious. They could fend for themselves and I wouldn't be reported to the Humane Society for cruelty, abuse or for abandoning my pet. I bet they wouldn't bother to come back home, either.

Time lapsed before I enacted my plan. Before I was ready I noted these young mantids were already escaping the brown paper-thin-like egg in which they had been placed to hatch. I could see quite a few of the tiny mantids were still inside the now broken egg-like structure so I hastily initiated the next step. I carried the brown egg container out to a flowering tree-like shrub in my back yard. I carefully placed the brown eggs in crooks of the branches as instructed, then emptied the remaining small mantids onto limbs where they presumably would find smaller insects to eat that compose their carnivorous diet.



The lady bugs, full grown when I purchased them, were placed in similarly recommended potential feeding sites on a few patio potted dwarf fruit trees. I managed to get a couple pictures at the time I released both of these insect varieties but my photo offerings are limited as everything was happening so rapidly.



Subsequently through the days, weeks and months my anticipated sightings of matured mantids have not materialized for photographing. I know there was increased bird activity in the backyard after I released my baby insects so those winged predators may have feasted on some of my new small creatures. I should have stayed out there with them for a while instead of coming inside for my camera. The lady bugs who avoided being eaten may have eventually flown away. I choose to believe some of each of these insects have survived though I've been unable to sight any.

I think I'll try again next year seeding these insects in my outdoor growth if they're available for purchase at my store. Furthermore, I may just prepare for habitation a large fish bowl left over from our households years earlier pet creature activities. I'm through mourning the loss of my compost, worm juice producing wiggly farm some years ago. I may decide to have pets again.

Sen. Edw. Kennedy Funeral

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy's Funeral service Saturday, August 29, 2009 included this tribute from son, Ted Kennedy:



Senator Kennedy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery after the procession following the service.

Sen. Edw. Kennedy Memorial Service

Sen. Edward Kennedy's Memorial Service Friday, August 28th included a tribute by John Culver that drew much loving laughter from those present. This is Part 1 from YouTube:

Edward "Ted" Kennedy

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009) died as a consequence of a brain tumor he has been battling for some time. Detailed facts of his life, particulars about his family and his professional value as a United States Senator are being reported by more eloquent writers than I. Historians will report on this man whose actions had a significant positive impact on others lives. The following ITN YouTube video provides funeral plans to date.



I am most impressed with actions resulting from his dedication to championing the rights of ordinary citizens and especially those of the least among us. Our country, our governmental and political processes will be sadly lacking without his contributions. He has been a unique conciliatory force able to meld opposite views and ideas about controversial issues into meaningful results affecting us all.

One of his most championed goals has been to bring health care to every American. I wish he had been able to shepherd a plan through our legislative process. He expended his final energies toward that end despite his declining health. A fitting tribute would be formulation and passage of such legislation. I hope our legislative leaders can find the courage to act in a bi-partisan effort enacting such a bill our President can sign.

The goal of health care for all is a moral imperative to which everyone who truly cares about human rights should aspire. We need health care reform now.

Thank you, Sen. Edward Kennedy. You will be missed.

Birthday Greetings -- Millie

H A P P Y

B I R T H D A Y !

M I L L I E



89 year old Whitey Thomas, former member of the Glenn Miller Army Aircorps Band (trumpet and trombone) blows strong in this YouTube video.

Stop by "My Mom's Blog" and wish Millie a Happy Birthday:
http://mymomsblog.blogspot.com/

Computer Up Date

Earlier this year I wrote about some technological changes here. One commenter suggested I share a picture of my current set up. So here is my laptop and the PC I continue to use primarily for playing music since the audio speakers provide a much fuller richer sound than the laptop. Suppose there is a way to avoid the camera flash reflections, but I haven't yet perfected that skill.

Health Care Dollars Dilemma

What kind of health care system we may have.

Health care dollar costs rhetoric heats up presenting a dilemma for some. Increasingly articles on the topic are published such as this recent one “The Cost Conundrum” by Aatul Gawande in the June 1st New Yorker. Thanks to Bob Frank who infrequently writes at “Eclectic World” for bringing it to my attention. The article is lengthy but filled with specifics and an overall view of the attitudes and influences that are being brought to bear on health care quality and costs in America today. The author cautions what kind of health care system we may have. Your time will be well spent reading Mr. Gawande’s article as he describes what specific towns can “…teach us about health care.”

Mr. Gawande begins by investigating health services in a certain Texas community he describes as being “…one of the most expensive health-care markets in the country.” He provides the dollar figures Medicare spent there in 2006 as being “…fifteen thousand dollars per enrollee…almost twice the national average.” Another well known Texas city spends half as much. What could account for this difference? You might be surprised what he learned.

Mayo Clinic in Grand Junction, Colorado, operations are also presented where he reports medical problems went down and quality went up. He adds, “…costs ended up lower than just about anywhere else in the United States.” He names communities from Danville, Pennsylvania through Wisconsin, Salt Lake City to Northern California utilizing similar operational approaches as Mayo who demonstrate comparable results.

Arguments from both the expensive and the least expensive systems proponents are not immune to the negative features of each approach their opponents cite. Both supporting groups agree we all want quality care and at the lowest cost especially knowing that overall we have runaway health care costs whose payment we cannot sustain. But what kind of system do we want? How do we get that system and are there sacrifices?

Our present mishmash of public and private medical insurance systems while trying to deliver quality care to meet patients needs is also being expected to maximize the individual provider’s reimbursement rate, Mr. Gawande writes. I’ve certainly experienced and been aware of some of the pressures that can be brought to bear in that regard. There can be a bit of a conflict between providing quality health care and income generation for some. Restrictions are instituted, corners are cut. I want to stress that many in the medical and related professions have resisted all that as have I.

I remember only too well years ago when service cuts were being made. Medical practitioners were admonished to refocus from merely providing quality care to additionally focus on the financial aspects of their work to augment declining income. Insurers and practitioners honed those business skills. Some business people took over medical groups dictating their own orientation. Medical people did become business people, too, with varying priorities in the quality/financial arena.

Mr. Gawande’s article illustrates various aspects of combining desired quality health care with a business orientation. He contends a team approach for quality care and revenue generating such as the Mayo Clinic’s system is more likely to provide us a viable health care plan.

Health care’s providers as well as consumers – that’s us – must adjust our thinking to realities Gwande documents including the whole idea that “more is better.” Seems in medical care as well as other areas of life that concept is not necessarily true. Maybe, we should all keep in mind seeking all the medical tests or procedures known to be available for any given problem is not always the better part of wisdom.

Doctors order most tests because they need to know the results which will effect a patient’s treatment. That's certainly why I recommend some procedures and medical consults. Physicians are also often pressured by patients and/or family members to provide tests for personal reassurance. Also, like it or not, given this sue happy society in which we live, the wise medical practitioner may need the occasional documenting test to justify his or her actions when treating unclear ever-changing medical complications, especially when coping with contentious individuals.

Mr. Gawande examines a broader picture here relative to just what kind of health care system we want. He views the issues as far more critical than whether or not we have a single-payer system, a public-insurance option or the mix of private and public as we have now. To best understand the stakes he describes you must read his article. His account is very readable, revealing the thought processes at work with the health care doctors and administrators he describes as presenting representative attitudes prevailing throughout the medical world in our country.

Many of us have spoken out loudly and clearly that a single-payer system is desired. Some have cited systems such as exist in Canada and Great Britain as models. I can endorse those models only if the major weaknesses of those systems are corrected in any such system we might adopt here:
1. provision for timely delivery of services,
2. provision for only specified short term duration treatment waits for a special group of medical diagnoses not directly life-threatening.

I definitely want our nation to have a system in which everyone receives health care. I also think functional sensory or augmentative systems are essential basic needs for each individual. What that means is:
1. people need dental care, teeth (artificial or otherwise) so they can eat and talk intelligibly.
2. people need vision care, glasses so they can see.
3. people vitally need to be able to hear, aids if they choose, so they can understand.

Augmentative communication systems are vital for many that are not always readily available.

We need to closely track what our current leaders are doing relative to the insurance system adopted for us. We definitely must have some action. Frankly, I believe we all deserve an insurance system at least as good as what we provide our Congressional Representatives and Senators. They’re all better equipped financially to pay for their own insurance and medical bills if they had to than most of us. Given their failure for so many years to resolve our health care system problem we cannot avoid the truth before us that they just aren’t performing well in their jobs. Now is the time to hold their feet to the flame on the health care system issue.

We won’t be remiss if we communicate our views by whatever means is at our disposal to those we’ve placed in office to carry out our wishes.

Auto Mourning -- Chrysler

I’m in mourning for America’s auto industries major manufacturers, Chrysler, General Motors and Ford. Major changes and bankruptcy are impacting Chrysler and GM. Ownership of Chrysler is now shared with an Italian company, Fiat. GM’s status is more uncertain as is their bankruptcy filing since they do not yet have a suitor to share ownership.

I feel some anger toward these auto industry companies because I believe their executives and boards of directors invited their own downfall by failure to plan car designs and environmental operational changes for the future. I also believe auto consumers must share a portion of the responsibility for their demise since they persisted in recent years buying large monstrosity gas guzzling vehicles reinforcing the auto manufacturers desire to please them.

Vehicles my family has owned in long years past have not always been the most gas efficient, but we did come to recognize the nation and world's conservation environmental needs long before these auto companies apparently were willing to do. We certainly didn’t welcome the most egregious offending vehicles of the past ten years or so. Had we been young with younger children/youth and their athletic, and dancing teams to transport hither and yon, perhaps we might have succumbed to the lure of some of those large bus and truck-like transportation units. I do realize some of them are more efficient then certain regular autos we see driving about, but each of us will have to assess our own transportation system versus polluting concerns. We clearly must adapt now to changes, either willingly or otherwise, given our country’s economic state and the environmental issues facing our nation and planet.

I recall some of the very first automobiles I owned, the thrill and sense of pride I felt purchasing my very first car. Most importantly to me was the feeling of independence that owning a car gave me. I could go anywhere, anytime, on my own.

The day came when I could finally afford my first car -- used, of course. My choice was made following the trusted recommendations of a family member mechanic who had performed repairs on all the major auto company brands. He concluded Chrysler products would hold up best and be the easiest for a mechanic to repair, so I gave serious consideration to his advice. Today's auto repairs are quite different and I've since owned other auto brands.

That first car was special as the first of many experiences in our life tend to be. Somehow, in a manner I’ve long since forgotten, I became aware of a 4 door blue Chrysler sedan, a 1950 New Yorker, I think. In retrospect, I long ago realized that was hardly the kind of car a single girl in her mid-twenties needed. But I was assured by my mechanic the car was in good operating condition and was a good value for the price. Also influencing my purchasing decision was that the car was my favorite blue color. Another attraction was the Chrysler had an early version of the automatic transmission. All I had to do was let up on the gas pedal and adjust the stick shift on the steering wheel each time I wanted to shift gears -- a coordination that wasn’t difficult to learn.

This semi-automatic gear shift was quite an improvement over older model cars with a straight stick gear shift on the floor. That old way of shifting gears required the driver to use one foot pressing to the floor a clutch pedal in coordination with a gear shift by hand, then slowly releasing that foot pedal clutch while pressing the gas pedal with the other foot for just the right acceleration. Poor coordination resulted in jerky forward or backward car movement or maybe even stalling the motor. Many a driver became frustrated or enraged other drivers with erratic car motion trying to develop their driving abilities.

Beginning drivers and good versus poor drivers using these older standard car transmissions were judged klutzes or pros by their ability to perform this coordinating driving skill smoothly. Most drivers, including me, had their share of jerking, stalling driving moments. Getting stuck in slow traffic, or worst of all having to stop going up a hill offered it’s own challenges to keep the car motor going, then resume momentum when traffic started again. I became quite good at driving smoothly with standard transmission cars, but relished my Chrysler's semi-automatic automotive advance.

Here’s an interesting look at Chrysler cars from 1950-1959 provided by John MacDonald.

I hope our nation’s automotive industry becomes independently strong in the future providing the type of transportation needed in our nation and the world.

Minimalist Communication

Text‘nTwitterTwitzer

The time has come to recognize that communication is completely evolving to a minimalist state. Traditional phone calls as we’ve known them during which individuals actually talk back and forth with one another are becoming, and in some instances have already become, obsolete. Wouldn’t you know this situation occurs at a time within our country, and in some cases all over the world, when the long distance phone calls can be made at no extra charge.

Much of my life these distant calls cost a premium. If you made such a call for pleasure everyone in the household took turns talking so you could get your moneys worth. Usually the long distance phone call was placed only in an emergency situation – generally because somebody had died. When you stop to think about it, that was a little late then to be calling.

I first became aware this minimalist communication evolution was beginning to occur a number of years ago. Movie makers began shortening most of their films lengths to two hours duration to accommodate television programming time periods. They began to cut out parts of longer movies. Gone have been the films whose story was best told with content that could extend beyond that two hour limit by even five minutes, much less an hour or more. Some movies would be better if compacted into fifteen minutes, frankly, but I usually don’t watch that type anyway. There are also movies whose plot might benefit from being stretched out past that arbitrary couple of hours.

Movies are not alone in experiencing this trend toward brevity in all things. Stage theatre has given way to two act productions from three. Often those two acts are filled with lots of scenes. The long traditional three act play exists now only in the resurrection of classic productions from yesteryear. Many of those are being adapted and shortened in the process.

This time/content compression trend continues to expand. Soon long blogging essays may well become relics of the past, giving way to a combination of text messaging, twittering, and whatever new scheme is created. I’m no authority on either texting or twittering. I confess I only recently tried texting once and have never twittered. Well, maybe I twittered in my younger days, but I think we called it something else that had nothing whatsoever to do with typing alphabet letters and words.

My recent effort at text messaging occurred because someone sent me a text message requiring a reply. I had never read any texting directions in my book of cell phone operation instructions. The book was supposed to be a ‘how to’ manual, so I was at some disadvantage replying appropriately. My cell phone had so many features on it beyond those for my immediate needs, I figured it could take forever to learn all of them at once, especially when I saw the size of that manual – longer than some novels. I mostly add phone feature skills to my repertoire gradually, one by one, through trial and error. So it would be with texting.

There was a slight hitch as I fumbled with the cell phone, because I could never be sure which of the three alphabet letters above the keyboard number I selected would show up in my message. It surely did create some strange but interesting words. The recipient of my reply and I still laugh at the convoluted twisted spelling of her name which she now uses as an alias. I realized that must be how some people come up with the name they give their newborns today, ‘cause there sure are some strange names I’ve encountered.

Texting, as I understand it, involves a lot of abbreviations and phonetic spelling of words. So, we’d get something like: i c u r dun. LOLFOTFL – Then, guess you just type these short little ditties, or longer if you like, back and forth with whoever you’re texting with.

Twittering, I’m told, places a 140 letter/symbol limit on the length of the message. FWIW the preceding sentence is composed of about half the specified number of letters/symbols allowed. (This last sentence is too long to complete the other half of the allowed message length.)

So, you see that short Twitter paragraph of two sentences above is TOO-OOO LONNGGG!

If blogging posts are going to evolve to Texting and Twittering criteria, I’m wondering if I should start trying to adapt my pieces now with these simple rules:
1. Use abbreviations, phonetic spellings only
2. Message is limited to 140 letter/symbols
3. Remember KISS

Here’s my piece for today:

Im sare 4 gm, krislr wrkrs. Y duz r tax mune go 2 biznes, banks, wal strt, naht foks?
Y do progrms tax kts hrt pur, old, sik, disabld, retird? Whn wil al hav helth kar?

(Note: my Word automatic spell corrector is going nuts with these last two lines I typed.)

If Text ‘n Twitter 140 words/symbols isn’t long enough for you, check out this link for Twitzer, then you can Text’nTwitterTwitzer, or Text’nTT. (Twitzer is a Firefox extension: http://shorttext.com/twitzer.aspx)

Hawaii Lantern Festival 10th Anniversary

Reflection on the original Memorial Day,as May 30th approaches, leads my thoughts to the recent Hawaiian Lantern Festival’s 10th Anniversary, May 25, 2009, that was also our current Memorial Day. Extensive videos of this year’s Festival can be viewed now at this KGMB link.

The 2009 Lantern Festival “Streaming Video” will be aired by television station KGMB 9 on May 30th, and again in early June.

Memorial Day commemoration for most of my life occurred on May 30th, but a few years ago the date was moved to the last Monday of the month in order to provide a long three day weekend. I’ve sometimes wondered if this change has resulted in many people gradually forgetting the true significance of this special day as they focus more on that day off work and social activities. I do respect the new date, and wrote a brief post here, but the 30th still automatically enters my mind as Memorial Day even though I know the legal date is past.

I recall as a small girl selling Buddy Poppies for the American Legion to raise funds for the Veterans. I was so proud the year I received the most contributions for I had an older loved one fighting in a foreign land during WWII at the time and this made me feel as though I was helping in some small way. My family member returned home safely from that war, but many did not. They join our ancestors who are remembered in the Hawaiian Lantern Festival that occurs on the new Memorial Day (25th this year) as I now commemorate the 30th date, too.

Another loved family member first acquainted me with the significance of the Hawaiian Lantern Festival in May 2007. Subsequently, I wrote a piece here including:

“The Hawaii Lantern Festival is in progress as I write this. I imagine the evening with darkness falling, the lanterns slowly floating out to sea honoring the spirit of those no longer living. On this particular evening, for our family, the names of loved ones, so recently with us in body and spirit, will be launched from the shoreline to ebb seaward.”

A 2007 Festival video was not available at that time but now is from YouTube:

Memorial Day Remembrance '09

On this Memorial Day we remember the men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country.

This Taps Buglers at Arlington National Cemetery YouTube video (about 4 mins. duration) concludes with sounds, pictures and words that always bring tears to my eyes. I always think of how each of those individuals lives might have been different had they lived, as would the lives of so many others.



I long for peace with freedom.

Movie Title Coincidence

“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”

Coincidentally just before I published my previous post, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," I discovered an older movie with the same title prominently displayed at my favorite video rental store. I noted Italian cast names I immediately recognized -- Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni; director, Vittorio De Sica. Prominent film producer Carlos Ponti had earlier discovered Loren,promoted her career,then later married her after divorcing his wife. Ponti’s and Loren’s marriage was not recognized in Italy and by the Catholic Church creating international news headlines in the Sixties. A few years later he married her again in France where the marriage was recognized.

This Italian color movie was originally released to theaters in 1963 ultimately catapulting Loren and Mastroianni onto the European and American movie scene. Awards were received and also notoriety for one Loren visually sensuous striptease scene considered quite risqué at the time. The year was significant in my love life, so I wasn’t giving much attention to movies. I don’t recall ever seeing this movie until now, though I do remember the Italian marriage controversy.

I viewed this color DVD movie and enjoyed the humor this past weekend. I was most intrigued with seeing these then-young actors at the beginning of careers that resulted in each of them appearing in some classic movies later for which they are better known as is their director. Here’s the movie's recap from my point of view.

This light comedy consists of three short stories in Italian language with English subtitles. The New York Times reviewer, Bosley Crowther, writes “…the title Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow has absolutely no relation to the film…” with which I disagree. Perhaps he has no historical reference for the temperament and prevailing attitudes during the times represented in each of the stories. Certainly the movie isn't resoundingly heavy and deep for analysis, but I see a variety of associations to the title though I mention only a few here.

The first story occurs “Yesterday” when women’s primary function is to bring many children into the world. Loren’s character is busy doing this, trying to tweak her husband’s waning participation as he becomes increasingly physically exhausted with each addition to their growing brood. She has good reason for wanting to remain pregnant in order to avoid going to jail for a few months due to an infraction of the law.

Next is “Today’s” story (1963) reflecting the materialistic attitude building then in various societies of the world. Loren’s very affluent character drives a Rolls Royce and casually wears a fur coat she nonchalantly literally tosses and drags around. Her wealthy husband is out of the country on business. She openly pursues and casually flaunts a developing relationship with a man of lesser means, Mastroianni's character. He is incredulous that she doesn't exhibit a bit more discretion. Social mores of the time are changing to more liberal freedoms for some women. We do learn the depth of Loren’s character and what she truly believes based on her actions when there is an incident with the Rolls at the stories end.

The final story, “Tomorrow,” showcases Loren’s character as a high class call girl. She’s the truly sexually liberated woman seeking independence and self-sufficiency but not immediate marriage. Mastroianni’s character is one of her regulars who visits whenever he’s able to plot a trip to her city for his father’s business. She flirts with a young man intensely attracted to her who is visiting his grandparents apartment. Their outdoor patio adjoins Loren’s. She is startled to discover he’s a seminary student preparing for priesthood’s celibate life. Ultimately these characters lives become enmeshed trying to preserve his chastity. Mastroianni’s character becomes increasingly frustrated he’s not receiving attention he desires. This is the story containing the scene that aroused so much notoriety when Loren seductively strips down to a skimpy black bra and panties. Here’s a somewhat fuzzy YouTube link.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Two days ago my Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow bushes were in full bloom covered with a multitude of blossoms in lavender shades joined by white flowers. Their airy fragrance was light and delightful. Two of the three plants I had rooted from the original bush. They have since grown considerably taller than my over mid-five feet height.




I went outside this morning to take the flowers pictures only to discover they had reached the end of their blooming season this year. The pictures that follow are among the few remaining lavender blooms though the white blossoms remain as the last flowers. Perhaps the flowers condition is appropriate for this particular piece.

You may note the flower bushes name is the theme of this blog – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. At the end is a poem by an unknown author with the same title as the bushes. I’ve enjoyed reading the poem through the years – Along The Way.

Yesterday …..

Hard to believe the time that has passed since my husband of almost 43 years died. That unexpected occurrence sometimes seems to have happened yesterday, which it actually did three years ago. Other times that day seems to have been long ago, enveloped in an unreal world. I’ve intentionally wanted to avoid giving undo reference to the day in the following years, but the date unconsciously resonates in my mind. Unbidden memories of our life together have trickled forth into my consciousness. I recall now the busyness of my activities after his death beginning that morning and continuing well into the evening hours.

I must have set the pattern then, since for the next year or so I kept myself so occupied variously I often became over-involved and driven. I could sometimes feel a burden of guilt if I did not perform certain aspects of my self-imposed new activities that I thought I should. In retrospect I was rather like the squirrel I recall from my childhood. He was a neighbor’s pet allowed to exercise periodically in a caged large wheel he turned at an increasing rate as he ran in place faster and faster. I wonder if that handsome red squirrel with the elegantly fluffy tail was aware he wasn’t going anywhere? Or, maybe he knew, and he was going somewhere -- in his mind.

In my case, after long hours, days, weeks of absorbing perpetual CD music at home, I had periods of time when I immersed myself in reading. I spent exorbitant amounts of time with the computer, much of it in the blogosphere and some with some of you.

I thought I was coping quite well and very much in control of my situation – except I wasn’t taking care of much day to day business. I could always do those things another day, I thought. Inadvertently I allowed some personal business to slide past which had not occurred before. Somehow such matters seemed so insignificant and unimportant any more, yet I knew they were. This was the time to cater to my whims I had concluded. I did, maybe, over-indulge myself. Considering some of the alternatives I considered, dabbled with and could have adopted, perhaps everything I was choosing to do despite how imperfect an answer was the better choice.

My plans had for so many years been influenced by necessary considerations for my life companion and suddenly, in an instant, that was no longer true. I took classes. I was mentally and emotionally prime to attach myself to a project that was fresh and held promise for the future as I became immersed in computer related activities.

So much of what I did had a sense of urgency component for me to accomplish whatever it was, now. Yet I often spoke of patience. Still I recognized changes I desired even for myself were probably long term evolutions. I had such contradictory thoughts that occasionally were at war within myself. Words I used describing my state of being were often what I wanted to be the case, but the words did not make it so. This was likely a reflection of my strong belief in the power of words within me -- the messages I gave myself and others – an honest effort to convince myself all was well.

I functioned as though new friendships needed to be cemented now, since time had come to have a very limiting finite quality for me. By contrast I talked of living to one hundred years of age. On some level I recognized what I was doing. On the day to day level all I did seemed quite rational and logical to me.

For months I was restless in my own home. I would reach a point where I just had to leave the house. In fact, I often left the premises for many hours of the day into the night. Had I lived near a lake some sunset hours or moonlit nights I would likely have sought a boat to embrace me while rocking ever so gently on a calm water’s surface.

I was tempted at times to drive in the car and just keep going to some unknown destination, but quelled that impulse with the belief I must return home for the beginning of each new day. I wished I knew a private pilot with whom I could fly away just for awhile. I thought about trying to make one’s acquaintance by visiting one of the two nearby small local airports hoping I’d be offered a flight. Years past my husband and I sometimes ate at one of their restaurants, watched the touch and goes, the air traffic, and remembered our mid-west flying years.

I wanted to be alone with my thoughts, but there were erratic inconsistent limits to my tolerance of the uncommonly quiet of my own home. I could be loading the dishwasher, making the bed, reading the newspaper or performing a multitude of other ordinary tasks. An indefinable feeling would subtly spread through my body much like during early spring after a winter’s freeze when a maple tree’s life-giving juices, having been confined, gradually begin to flow from the trunk toward the barren branches.

I became uneasy not knowing how or why the restlessness started since my mind would be engaged with matters unrelated to my loss. The escalating feeling resulted in my sensing I needed to leave the house. Ironically, on other occasions when I was away from home, often driving purposefully in the car, I had an overwhelming sense I no longer wanted to finish my planned schedule and I must go home.

Sometimes I would spend excessive time in a book store’s big leather cushioned chair. Strangely, I could enjoy being alone in the semi-quiet of the crowd there. Ultimately I did not mind my quiet periodically interrupted when one of the friendly young clerks became casually attentive. I was surprised to eventually learn he was a musician about to embark on a short tour with a successful newly re-formed Indie/Pop/Rock Band. More memories of my husband’s music life were stimulated.

I sought out live jazz performances here and elsewhere,sometimes alone, sometimes with friends. Finally, I discovered I had a saturation point listening to numerous jazz groups performing in those various locations. I settled into attending less frequent performances focusing on one particular talented group with an equally gifted female vocalist. I added other music genres from folk to classical with much in between at concerts I shared with friends, old and new.

Today …..

Those erratic days became weeks that turned into months, then years. Along The Way – I have become content. My solitude is not only comfortable but welcome.


Tomorrow …..

I don’t know what tomorrow holds for me, but I look forward with great anticipation to that future day by day.


Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
There are two days in every week that we should not worry about, two days that should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed, forever beyond our control.

All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. Nor can we erase a single word we've said - yesterday is gone!

The other day we shouldn't worry about is tomorrow, with its impossible adversaries, its burden, its hopeful promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is beyond our control.

Tomorrow's sun will rise either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds - but it will rise. And until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

This leaves only one day - today. Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when we add the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of today that drives people mad - it is the remorse of bitterness for something which happened yesterday, and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, live one day at a time!

Author Unknown

Memories of Mother

Memories come to mind of my Mother born into the predominantly agrarian nineteenth century and her transition into the twentieth century industrial world. I wrote about some of her world last year on May 11th in “Mother’s Day Thoughts.”

These days when so many experience difficulties encountered as a consequence of a nation and world economic upheaval unlike any in my lifetime, I often wonder what my mother would have to say on the subject. She had become a young married woman during the twenties heydays preceding the Great Depression. I recall her descriptions of a none too easy early married life that evolved into a more prosperous existence in later years as occurs with many couples.

She said the hardships during that financial downturn did not directly adversely affect our family. They occurred before I was born later in her life. Our immunity to severe hardship was primarily because my father’s work was associated with the newspaper business. Newspapers were the primary source of news, so were in much demand by almost everyone regardless of their financial situation. In fact, two of the most prominent state newspapers were vying for his services.

Radio was just beginning with unprecedented broadcasting power thanks to Powell Crosley and the ultimate “Nation’s Station” WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio.

There was no TV yet, much less computers and the Internet of today. Newspapers were a primary source listing employment opportunities for those seeking work. People placed ads to sell belongings so they could raise some desperately needed cash while others with limited cash sought bargain prices as they needed these items but had little cash themselves. Everyone wanted to subscribe or at least access a newspaper. This is hardly the situation that exists today in the newspaper business.

During the Depression my mother continued to be active in her womens religious group. They devoted themselves to helping others in need, an activity in which she engaged for many of those years and throughout her lifetime when she was able.

A few years after I was born our fortunes changed and my mother became a single parent in a time when a woman raising a family alone had a very difficult time. My immediate family had never lived extravagantly, but as I entered my early childhood years I was absorbing from my mother the lessons of needing to be even more practical and frugal.

She was a remarkable woman who in her later years in the face of adversity when she became legally blind and limited in visual activities created unique hooked rugs that became unexpectedly desired by others. This is a one-of-a-kind small rectangular throw rug which she experimented hooking before her vision deteriorated even further necessitating larger different geometric patterning. My photography does not do the colors justice. My mother would be amused the tips of my shoes appear.



My mother had an amazingly optimistic and positive attitude toward life. She made multiple transitions and adaptations to her varying circumstances. I marvel at how well she coped as she lived happily independently most of her remaining almost 90 years. I miss her.

Propagating Remote Control Units

(BTW everything is not as it appears in the photo.)

Following-up on the theme of some of my previous posts the past two months . . . .

One other tech change at my house especially pleasing to me occurred when the many remotes required to operate my television, recording and playback units were consolidated on to one universal remote. The addition of the digital converter box suddenly made me realize just how many of these remote gadgets had to be used for various functions. I wondered, where had all these remote control units come from? Similar to people, they seem to exist in all shapes and sizes. Confronted with so many I imagined when no one was around a covert coupling had occurred creating another remote unit. I have been assured this fantasy did not occur but still I wonder.

When the remote consolidation process began I watched with great trepidation when two remote control units were placed end to end, buttons were pushed and occasional light flashes could be seen. This additional similarity with human beings seemed uncanny. Perhaps, contrary to what I had been told, this was how remotes propagated and I would end up with even more units, not just the single one? No doubt others have been subjected to remote control propagation in their household and have had to cope with my same problem. I continued to experience some anxiety while observing this procedure, wondering what might occur. I was greatly relieved when the transfer process completed and I could see there were no additional remotes. Gloriously my need to use so many remote control units actually diminished in number.



I am concerned that one remote has assumed rather over-sized proportions as you can see and this isn’t trick photography. What are the implications of this and what does that portend for the future? Perhaps I need to install a secretive video system throughout the house just to keep track of what those remotes are doing. Maybe I should just take their batteries away.

Still an escalating number of batteries still seem to be required despite my remote consolidation process since other energy using gadgets keep invading my home. Imagine if more people shared my home bringing their own devices how many additional batteries and remotes there would be. Now that I think about it, as I get older maybe I should have more batteries. Life often seems to increasingly be filled with my trying to keep charged. So, make of that what you will.

Why doesn’t some engineering tech genius invent a small inexpensive portable solar unit for various size rechargeable batteries? I want a unit I can periodically set outside on a sunny day to fully charge, then have at the ready to recharge my various batteries as needed. Someday … maybe sooner than I realize … this will be possible. Someone somewhere is probably working on such a solar battery as I write this. Or, maybe such a charger and battery has already been invented and I simply haven’t learned about it.

Economic Pain/Movie/Cuba Story and Americas

Local Economics

Film -- "State of Play"

Cuba Story Recalled

Americas -- Continent


Time has slipped right past leaving my blogging behind. Coincidentally my work load lightened just in time to allow me to throw myself wholeheartedly into preparing my income tax. The task becomes easier and faster every year since I first took over this project a few years ago. That job completed I've been interested in what is happening with the business economics in my community.

I noticed one of the major car dealerships has changed dramatically again. Some time ago ownership changed from selling a U.S. brand to be replaced by foreign company models. Now, the block long car lot is empty, the buildings vacant. Then, there was the announcement a company that owns major Southern California high end shopping centers is filing for bankruptcy. A couple of the centers are The Galleria, South Coast Plaza for anyone familiar with the area. Reportedly they will not close.

My part time rehab work has come to a screeching halt as I read in the paper there is a nationwide overall decline in need for health care services. There has always been a fluctuation throughout the year in services needed so maybe this is just one of those slow times.

I also learned at one local branch of a national bank the institution had a period of time in March when their customers with mortgage loans could refinance with no points or closing costs to obtain a reduced interest percentage rate charged. I think there was one problem with that offer. Far too many customers were never made aware of this opportunity, including some who even worked at that bank. That failure to disclose seems a bit strange to me. I wonder if other banks across the country are doing the same? Expect this bank didn't really want to reduce rates for many customers.

My Borders bookstore is trimming their offerings by eliminating selling CDs and DVDs, but so far seems to be surviving otherwise. I realize they are also affected by the general changes with purchasing transitioning to the Internet.

I've rewarded myself by taking time to enjoy some movies. I appreciate having a reduced rate for special showings at our relatively new local theater. The most recent movie I enjoyed was "State of Play"
(trailer link.) Any movie with Helen Mirren catches my attention though she is not the star in this intriguing thriller starring Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams. I was reminded of recent years government figures romantic liaisons with ensuing disastrous consequences and the challenges facing newspapers efforts to survive as the plot unfolded. At least one critic I read faulted the movie for those all too obvious story aspects, but I didn't find them objectionable. I simply wanted to be entertained and I was.

Meanwhile on the national and international arena all sorts of changes are evolving. Am delighted to see our President focusing attention on Central and South America. Certainly the issue of our relationship with Cuba has been long overdue for review.

Whenever I think of Cuba I am reminded of a young woman I met years ago when I returned to college. Several years after graduation she unexpectedly contacted me relative to further professional activities. The result had a positive indirect profound effect on my continuing career. We had no further contact after that and I no longer even recall her name, much less where she lives.

Earlier she had told me a story of her youthful actions primarily motivated by the relationship she had with a young man strongly opposed to our Government's actions banning American citizens traveling to Cuba. As she told me her story I could recall their student group was front page news with pictures in print and on broadcast media for weeks those many long years ago.

I don't intend to discuss that historical periods political issues pros and cons, but national and international opinions and feelings ran high on the topic. She spoke of being one person in a small group of young people who defied our Government's ban on travel to Cuba and visited there. She reported meeting Fidel Castro early in his ruling career and playing ping pong with him. Their student groups visit was not a very popular act with many in the U.S. at the time. She described repercussions these young students experienced when they returned home to the U.S. and some she perceived for many years after.

Several years ago in an hour long drive home from a more distant airport than a closer one which I prefer to use, a young college student was the only other passenger in the van. She said she was majoring in International Studies and had a specific interest in all the countries south of our border. She appeared to be of European descent so I was intrigued that she would care about these countries our nation has all too often given meager attention. She soon realized I shared her interest and concern. Her conversation became quite passionate as she spoke of the importance of these countries and the value of our nations relationships with theirs.

I wonder what these two women think of the efforts of our new President? I especially hope the latter young college student who would now be an upper classman, or graduate student, has pursued her dream of someday being in a position to facilitate the cohesiveness of all the nations on our continent, north and south that benefits us all.

Reeling from Digital Converter Box

Technology changes for me continue in addition to my new laptop computer adventures (beginning with previously described “Tech – Unintended Consequences,” followed by some frustrations described in “Technological Mysteries.”) Now I have been confronted with converting to digital television and combating propagating remote control units.

My analog television has been up dated with the addition of a digital converter box. This installation enables me to expand my reception to over seventy high definition television channels from less than twenty analog stations. I receive most all local TV digital channel broadcasts now. When the switch from analog to digital TV finally happens, presently scheduled for June 12, 2009, I’m ready to receive even more should there be additional digital broadcast channels and stations.

If anyone reading this who doesn’t have cable service or a high definition television (HDTV) hasn’t yet prepared for this change, you need to visit this digital TV government website, order a discount coupon ($40 value.) Allow several weeks for coupon receipt, then purchase and install a digital converter box available where you buy electronics i.e Best Buy, Costco, Sears, Radio Shack to name a few stores. Maybe there is someone in your community who is unable to obtain a discount coupon to whom you could donate yours if you don’t use it. I’ll write about coupon donation another time.

My previously existing roof antenna installed for analog reception when we moved here over a quarter century ago has required no adjustments. My younger TV accepts all the television stations digital broadcast signals I received in analog and a combination of many additional channels plus a few new stations now. Digital television programming with just my converter box is clearly a dynamic process as more channels and stations may be offered in the future.

An independent commercial station, “This,” has recently added a movie channel featuring classic movies and more current stars’ early movies. A listing of U.S. stations is on this Wikipedia link. I’m enjoying spontaneously being able to enjoy this entertainment fare when I’m in the mood for such film viewing.

Here are a couple examples of recent film offerings: “The Woman in the Window,” a 1945 film noir starring Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett with Raymond Massey, directed by Fritz Lang. Later film fare starred a youthful actor John Travolta in the 1981 thriller “Blow Out” with Dennis Franz, and John Lithgow, written and directed by Brian De Palma.

A couple of the traditional local affiliate major commercial networks offer additional channels including constantly updated local/national weather and news. In some ways I prefer their offerings to what I’ve seen on cable’s Weather Channel when I’ve visited Midwest and east coast cable households.

A few of these digital TV channels cater to our diverse Los Angeles, California area cultures by offering programming in a multi-variety of foreign languages. I’ve identified Spanish, Armenian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese languages so far. Those channels sometimes feature English, too, or English captions. I understand some non-English speakers in other countries have acquired English by watching American movies captioned in their language. It occurs to me these stations might offer an opportunity to familiarize myself with some other languages. Maybe I could even learn a few words and phrases in languages other than English.

Perhaps someday I’ll succumb to a cable television subscription, but so many of their programming basic stations don’t interest me. Often additional channels I might want must be purchased extra in addition to accepting so many of those unwanted basic stations. I realize I currently receive a few stations in which I have little interest, but so far they all come to me free over the airwaves we citizens own. I really have all the programs I have time to see now, anyway.