I am grossly out of step with the new format!

I wasn’t even “in step” with the old….just faking it. I might have a bit of time now, in between welcoming new babies in the family, to read a bit and try to understand. I learn easily by watching - but reading takes me a while longer. It really takes longer since all of this is just like new language to me. Yes, I have written 200+ posts - but I write, and that’s what I do. I take photographs too. Those things are a piece of cake!~ Putting together this blog seems like a real challenge to me!
This is a GREAT alternative to plastic bags. Most aren’t as they are way too small.
I found this hummer at Safeway and the price was $4.99 (but it’s a deal since you get two!). We all have to do our parts in trying to save the planet. It’s for damn sure the corporations and $$$$$ making machines will still keep cranking out the plastic bottles, and useless other plastic containers. Don’t you love getting a prescription with a bottle that is six times larger than the amount in it? What’s up with that?
This dandy little bag folds small and fits right in a glove compartment or purse. Very cool.
Okay, I lied. My weekend “may” be pretty busy and then Monday through Thursday I
will be staying with my daughter and her new baby daughter - so I probably won’t get back again till the end of next week. I love reading all the wonderful and unique posts on wordpress and wish I could respond to so many that I just don’t have time to do so!
Anyway, it’s been fun (again-rather adictive, eh?)…..keep on being happy! It is the best choice. I tried being miserable. It sucked, so I gave it up! Really.
Now I am (and have been for many moons) the human happy face. Speaking of moons….full moon sunday so if things are “out of sorts” or “out of wack” or just plain weird, it could be the full moon coming on! Be aware and CREATE the best weekend ever for you and those around you….what you give WILL come back to you. Make it wonderful!

“The clean energy scam.”

I only COPY material that I believe is important enough to post. Last time I did this I did not name the source. This time I know to do so, and the selected paragraphs come from Time Magazine.

“ Hyped as an eco-friendly fuel, ethanol increases global warming, destroys forests and inflates food prices.”

“Worldwide investment in biofuels rose from $5 billion tin 1995 to $38 billion in 2005 and is expected to top $100 billion by 2010.”

“But several new studies show the biofuel boom is doing exactly the opposite of what its proponents intended: it’s dramatically accelerating global warming, imperiling the planet in the name of saving it.”

“Meanwhile, by diverting grain and oilseed crops from dinner plates to fuel tanks, biofuels are jacking up world food prices and endangering the hungry.”

“Deforestation accounts for 20% of all current carbon emissions. So unless the world can eliminate emissions from ALL other sources-cars, power plants, factories, even flatulent cows – it needs to reduce deforestation or risk an environmental catastrophe.”

….”But the world is still going to be fighting an uphill battle until it realizes that right now, biofuels aren’t part of the solution at all. They’re part of the problem.”

Love the sky, stars, sun, moon, and clouds!

These photos were snapped while I was “out and about” running errands - on several different days. I
looked up, grabbed my handy camera (which I carry all the time) and snapped!

The rain cloud was almost ready to burst in this first photo. The second was just a lovely sky with clouds, and the third was stunning. When I looked - the blue was so deep and the little white cloud so white!

My favorite? The rain clouds, of course. They were so massive and wild.

What a beautiful and wonderful world we have if we just remember to LOOK!

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)

Everyone is told that these bulbs are a great energy saving alternative to incandescent light bulbs. They are. They can use up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and we are encouraged to use them.

So what’s “the rest of the story?”

The bulbs contain a small amount of mercury (about 5 mg), which is a HAZARDOUS COMPOUND.
The same product that helps them energy efficient also makes them a UNIVERSAL WASTE when it’s time for disposal.

CFLs can’t go in the trash!!!
They have to go to a Household Hazardous Waste facility. How about that!

I wonder about all the sprays and creams and products we’ve used over the years.

Perhaps there is plenty of reason to understand the number of cancer patients - and other maladies that have come up in this 21st century!

INCOME TAX - SOCIAL SECURITY - WHAT A FRIGGIN’ JOKE

Check this out: I have a friend who is a few years older than me, and she decided to take an “early social security” She called me today almost in tears. Her husband earns what would now be classified as a “low middle class amount”. They have grown children. They
pay their dues.

She just picked up her income tax (prepared by an IRS savvy) office, and this is what she was told: “Your husband makes too much money and so they taxed 80% of your social security benefits!”

She said she swore and proclaimed that to do that is taxing that money TWICE. “I know,”
the woman replied, “I think it stinks, but there is nothing we can do about it. That is taxing you twice on the same money!”

So listen up, my friends, if you are in the group that will soon be able to collect what you paid into to all your working life - be prepared to be told, “BEND OVER, THIS WON’T TAKE LONG!” Be prepared to be disappointed AGAIN by our wonderful government! I know that sounds extreme, for me, but it made me mad too.

Our government donates BILLIONS to other countries (Pakistan alone gets $250 million a MONTH)….Individuals spend millions to get elected, and then millions for the party thereafter.

But if our hard working middle class has a small dream of getting a return for donating their entire lives being honorable and working-and not using the system, forget it!

You either have to be RICH or POOR. There is no room for in between and the hard working “in betweener’s” are biting the dust. Might as well give up and join the ranks of the poor who don’t pay for much of anything. No slam against those who REALLY are honorable and need it.

You know what? I don’t care which of the three main candidates gets elected - ANYBODY
has to be better than what we’ve seen in past years! We need change.

Oh by the way, are you familiar with “super delegates”? Another ridiculous thing our government does - check it out!

ADDENDUM to last post. My records were sent to a doctor who is NOT in my health care network. I do have some insurance, but if I didn’t, he doesn’t take cash. I ask about getting records and was told it would cost me a fee up front and 25 cents a page to get them. “The records belong to the doctor” I was told. EVEN if he disappears and doesn’t notify one person….now the doctor he sent the records to OWNS them for 10 years unless you buy them or have them requested to be mailed to another doctor.

B.S. Boy am I glad I get copies of my records each time I visit a doctor’s office. They
can keep those things for 10 years or do whatever else they want to do with them - I have a suggestion. :0

Now I will take a breath and step outside to “divert” my own attention to something I actually have some choice in….taking the dog for a walk!

THIS ISN’T FUNNY!

All of us need to see a doctor once in a while. If we have children, that happens for sure.
About 8 years ago I found a feminine MD whom I thought was wonderful. After 4 years of TRUSTING her, I called for an appointment one day and she had moved to Idaho. (This was the SECOND time my doctor left town without notice or warning. ) The first was also a woman who just closed the doors and left for India!

Needless to say, this second time I was not very happy. All my records had been sent to her former partner-a male physician. I paid the “first timer” initial visit to him, though I thought it not very nice. Therein he became my doctor. He has been a wonderful doctor until TODAY! I called to ask a question and was told: “the office closed permanently on the 7th.”

Stunned, I asked what happened. “Don’t know”, the operator replied, “Even his staff didn’t know.”

Most things don’t phase me, but this is pure and simple B.S. No notice, no chance to ask for records, NADA! Bye bye, gone, see ya later.

I asked where my records are and she said, “Oh they’ve been sent to another doctor. Here is his information.”

Of course he is all the way across town, I HAD NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER, and check this out- HE DOESN’T TAKE CASH!

After all, I am just a pheasant! On top of it I have to pay a “new client fee” if I even want to see him. Again, I am livid.

The thing is it is B.S. We PAY to trust our physician, and the least they could do is give a bit of notice and some choice in the matter.

HERE IS THE MAIN THING I AM SUGGESTING TO YOU. I had a little mama who was sharp as a tack. She told me ALWAYS keep a record of your visits. You may have to initially ask and sign a release form, but BE SURE TO GET YOUR RECORDS REGULARLY. At least this gives you options!

Now take a breath and try to relax. I am! BY THE WAY,

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Hug or kiss someone NOW - hug yourself!
Luckily, I did so, and I have all my records! This suggestion goes for you, your children, your parents, whomever…..We do have rights! We have the right to see what has been written about us, and the right to keep track of our treatment!

PLEASE RIGHT NOW, NEXT TIME SOMEONE GOES TO THE DOCTOR TELL THEM YOU WANT A COPY OF ALL YOUR RECORDS! Mine didn’t cost anything as I’ve done it each visit….I
don’t know about if you have to get them from the start.

Stay well and maybe you won’t need one of these “Practicing” physicians!

Flowers to brighten a winter morning :)

CREATE a wonderful day!
Take a deep breath and when you exhale let all the worries fly out the fingertips and into oblivion.
You can’t do anything about most circumstances except find your intellect and respond in a positive
manner that will CREATE better circumstances….there is always a way!

Kayak in January

Went to Whiskeytown yesterday with my girl friend. It was brisk, but there wasn’t a ripple on the water. There wasn’t a soul out there except us - bundled up and picnic in hand. We kayaked a bit and I saw a wonderful photo opportunity. Check out the eagle.
I was ready to snap a reflection of trees on the still water and heard a bird fly off. It was a huge eagle. Still on the branch was the mate. Sitting so proudly, he stayed until I paddled almost on shore. Then off he flew. What a sight. The second photo is of Shasta Bail with some snow (over 6,000 ft.) and the still water reflecting it’s beauty. Lastly, late in the afternoon we sat having our picnic and I looked down at the kayaks and the sparkling water, and just thought it lovely - so hope you enjoy!

Be kind to your animals - they are gifts!

Yes, I do spoil mine! Buck has been a friend, a protector, and lots of fun to hike with for 10+ years now. He has
his own couch, and the blanket is also a jacket for when it’s very cold. It’s unbelievable to me, but he also senses when I am sad (comes over and puts his head on my knee); when I’m mad (he comes up and looks at me and calms me down), and he has a vocabulary too. Lastly, he doesn’t care if I am a disaster to see-he loves me anyway!

All pets should be treated with kindness and appreciation. They offer unconditional love - and that’s something we humans should learn to practice more often.

Sometimes in life….

…..we get so busy and tired that we forget the good things - the small comments made that reflect love, the simple acts of kindness we do for one another, the promises kept.

The many blessings we take for granted aren’t recognized; only the things that present a disturbance in “our own personal vision” of what life should be. The responses of others not “in sync with our own perceptions” become eminent.

We forget that our bodies change and with each change we are affected in some minute way. We laugh one minute, and cry the next.

Ah that we could receive the luxurious love we bestow on the world. But to give love fully must be with no requirements. For if we love, we do it because we choose to do so. We cannot “force” others to love - only show them what it is!

Love someone with your mind and heart this weekend - a relative, a friend, a neighbor, a partner, maybe a pet! Animals need love too Now get busy!