Blog - Page 8 of 11 - Life Views 101

November 15, 2020November 16, 2020

Mute. Turn It Off!

Okay let’s change up our thinking. I’m done with politics for today. I want to rant about something else, and that something else is all the dam Medicare commercials. I mean if I have to see Joe Namath’s face one more time I am going to lose it!

There he is talking about “getting what you are entitled too, maybe at no cost to you.” over and over again. Yeah right I say, at no cost! What makes him the expert? Just because he is old like the rest of us does not make him the one I want to advise me on insurance. Football yes, insurance no.

I wonder how much per commercial he makes because as many times as I have seen his pretty face on television he’s probably added millions to his tax bracket. His medicare commercials started several years ago so tally it up.

In case you have missed all these commercials or you are lucky enough to have cable, I know that doesn’t usually go with lucky, but in this case it does. I only have an antenna so I am stuck with what the local television shoves in my face. Right now it is all about medicare. Oh, and life insurance in case you want that too. No Joe Namath for those commercials yet.

Now I love the old shows, reruns of everything I loved about the seventies, eighties, and nineties that keep playing night after night. How nostalgic. Wow, who would have thought they would rise from the dead! Anyway I have an antenna, and I stream with my Roku. I have saved thousands of dollars. Literally, but I am stuck with thousands of commercials about medicare, and renewing ” your benefits, maybe at no cost to you.”

Ah, the good old days when the kid nearest the television was the controller.

Now I love good old Joe, he was a hunk in his younger days. And not too bad as an old man. Great with a football, but the mute button has become my new best friend. I have pressed it so many times that the little speaker icon has disappeared. No worries I know right where it is. The sad part of this is that I can now read Joe’s lips I have seen those dam commercials so many times. Bad right?

As soon as I see his face I hit MUTE. You can too. Anytime something comes on that upsets you or you are tired of hearing about, just hit the mute. The silence is wonderful. What a great option. Lips move but the words are gone. You can even make up your own dialog, like ” kiss my grits, give me the money” or something like that.

And if you are really getting upset your controller has an off button too. Yep right on top somewhere. I know where that one is without looking as well, in case I am really annoyed.

Now I know insurance is important, but before you let some star lead you astray look up the cost, and the benefits. As senior citizens we can not refuse medicare part A. If we do they will take away our social security that we paid into, and make us pay back all that they have paid us so far. Really, look it up. You can not refuse medicare part A even if you already have a great insurance provider once you retire from your job. Your primary provider then becomes your secondary provider even if you don’t like that idea. Medicare part A becomes your primary hospital benefit provider rather you like it or not. Check it out.

And if you have to use medicare part A to go into the hospital you have to pay $1483 up front before any other charges or care can be given. This amount changes yearly. First comes the $1483, then your benefits. I should mention it reads ” the allowable benefits” make sure your care is allowable. That was an eye opener for me when I had surgery.

So, back to commercials. The health care industry is bombarding us with commercials because it is time to see if we need extra coverage, and who will provide those benefits. And the companies that consult with us, ” at no charge to you” get a kick back for all the people they send to the companies listed that they refer too, so don’t think they aren’t getting paid for what they are ” doing at no charge to you” (for you) because they are.

I have come to hate commercials. I hate the way words are twisted or presented as they try to fool us into thinking ” their” product is the greatest. And the stars have come out in flocks to do commercials as that is the new money maker for them. I’ve seen good old Tom Selleck one too many times already. He is peddling reverse mortgages.

Just because we are older doesn’t mean we have lost our thinking facilities. We can understand their jargon even if it is coming from good old Joe or Tom. Take your time and look things up. Read the fine print, or have someone your love and trust do it for you so that you can get the best care you can afford because that is really what it is all about. What we can afford when we can no longer work and must live on our retirement. Choose wisely. Do not let someone’s pretty face sway you. And for today, have a great day today, you and I deserve it.

November 9, 2020November 9, 2020

Peace And Quiet

I am not sure how you feel, but for me, it is time for some peace and quiet. I am so ready for all of this political crap to stop. I just want our leaders to move forward and lead this country. It is time to shut up and do the work.

All I can say is we have made history in so many ways. Some I am not too proud of. This country use to be admired, now we are a laughing stock to other countries. It breaks my heart.

For years now we have not had a good candidate for presidency. Bits and pieces of what, of who. I can not believe that our political parties waited until the last minute to start throwing out names and people to lead our country, OUR country.

I think what needs to happen now is that the parties that want to run next term start grooming someone in their party who has the skills and ideals that would represent this country exceeding well. Start teaching, training, encouraging and supporting some young politician somewhere how to be a great leader. Show them what this country stands for, and help them to succeed. Don’t wait until the last moment and grasp at straws!

I don’t know how the news industry will survive, but I would like to see someone, somewhere start a network that will only tell the real truth, not their truth, not the truth that they want to fool us into believing, but the real truth about what is happening in the world. I grew up believing that is how it was done. How foolish of me.

If I could thank president Trump for one thing, it is for opening my eyes to all the lies and half truths that the media has pushed my way. He has shown me how they distort the news with partial stories, fake pictures, and outright lies about life in general. How they exclude the truth when it does not fit their agenda. How they can pick and choose only what they want to show us, or completely shut down someone in the middle of their speech. A president no less. It is all about the all mighty dollar, and the power that comes with it when they have lots, not necessarily what is really going on in this country and it’s leaders.

Another thing that president Trump accomplished is to bring people into the world of politics that maybe weren’t there before. He has opened our eyes to the fact that WE NEED be involved in what is occurring, and challenge what is being shoved down our throats. And he has taught us to expect more from our leaders. Thank you president Trump.

I hope Joe Biden is sincere when he says ” it is time for this country to heal.” we so need that to happen. Let the men and women ELECTED by the people, FOR the people come together on our behalf, not theirs, to return this country and it’s people to a place where pride can shine through, and we can move toward a country that takes care of all it’s people. All the people. All the races. All the colors. All the levels of income. ALL OF THE PEOPLE so help us God. Let’s be ” One Nation Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for ALL.” Have a great day today, you and I deserve it!!

Their music is so beautiful. This music brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Hauser!! Look at his other great videos on You Tube.

October 30, 2020November 1, 2020

America It is Election Time! Be Proud to be an American!

I am proud to be an American. In 2005 I became an American Citizen. It was my choice!!

Well, like so many I too have this years elections as the main thing streaming through my mind right now. How could we not with so much garbage streaming across the airways. Sadly as far as I am concerned there isn’t a good candidate, there hasn’t been for years, so I ask everyone to think hard before they vote in the next few days. Really look at what is good for our country right now. Pick one of the lesser of two evils if you can and then lets all move toward making this country a thing to be proud of. For me I get to listen to my Canadian family laugh at the nuts we have in office, and the way that everyone has gone crazy disrespecting this country for four long years. Perhaps with the end of the election will come the end of all the slinging of shit, and our politicians will get down to the job of running this country for the people, by the people so help me God.

October 4, 2020October 4, 2020

Covid 19.

Well I thought I had it. Yep. I was feeling pretty weird, sickish, but not real sick for about ten days. Strange sore throat which I still have off and on, hot and cold spells, a bad night of night sweats, fatigue, headaches, and a few other things. Luckily no fever, but I still called the clinic and they put me through to their screening booth.

Interesting events unfold when you suspect the dreaded Covid. They asked me a whole round of questions, decided I needed to come in for testing, what with my age, history of asthma, and symptoms. And, when I showed up for the appointment they had set up I was greeted at the door

First though I had to call from my car to alert them to my presence on the grounds. Once in the room the treatment team looked like characters out of ET. Well not quite so intense, but it still made me feel ” contaminated.”

Still learning, still searching the data banks.

I will admit I was a little scared. After hearing all the serious things that have happened to some folks who have had the virus, I was definitely frightened. We have tried to be cautious, but I think we are all getting a little lax in our protection.

With a sigh of relief I can tell you I am virus free. The test was negative, but I think she hemorrhaged my brain reaching to the farthest depths of my inner sinuses. I felt the burn as she rammed then twirled that swab to the inner sanctum of my nose. I would have suffered more if I had needed too, and I have in the past, just to be sure that all was well within.

I know that lots of people have had this dreaded disease and survived just fine. It’s the ones that have gotten so sick that makes me pause and take a breath. I have had breast cancer, as you may be aware, so I know what it is to fear having something that could potentially kill you. Okay, the Covid virus isn’t as serious as cancer, but for some it has been horrific. We must not take away from those poor folks and their struggles.

I hope that anyone who actually catches this dam virus, including the president and his team, who may be suffering right now, has a fast recovery, with minimal side effects. We still don’t know all the symptoms or lasting effects of the Covid virus. It is something we all wish was only studied in books, not real life.

I say take care of you, love your loved ones, as in a blink of an eye, they or you could be gone. And we must appreciate this great big world we live in. There is so much beauty, so many wonderful things. We have so many blessings to hold dear. Don’t let the media or anyone else take away your happiness. If they try question their motive. People that don’t want others to be happy are evil. At the very least they are shitty people. And as I always say, have a great day TODAY.

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020

Bad Hair Day.

Sometimes I can’t wait for things to happen. Okay, most times. I am not a planner, more the “when it hits me”in the moment kind of person. Often I decide what I want to do for the day, or the minute, right at that time. It’s like the excitement slams into me and away I go. I don’t usually like to plan too far ahead because I may not feel like doing anything that far into the future. I hate to disappoint people if we make plans and I cancel because sometimes the energy gets lost in the wait.

Well that very thing happened to me. The energy was leaving my body as I had to wait for almost two weeks to get my hair cut. I had found a shop that was suppose to have these really good hairstylist, but they didn’t have anyone available until the end of my vacation. I wanted it cut now so I could get use to the short “do” while lounging around the house. No trips for me thanks to the virus.

I had such an overpowering “urge” to get my hair cut ” right this minute” that I called another place, and in my haste I went there instead. They said she was good with short hair. I foolishly believed them.

I could tell right away she was a newbie by the way she washed my hair, really gently, so gently that I almost couldn’t feel her fingers moving. It was like she was afraid I would start screaming in pain if she pressed a little hard. I wanted to tell her to “have at it” as I have been known to be hard headed, but I didn’t want to spoil her zen.

When we were done with the wash the comb traveled at the sped of a snail through my hair. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. I finally had to ask how long she had been doing hair. ” Since December” she replied, ” almost a year.” It was September now.

Dread hit me hard as I watched her scissors slicing through my hair. First this way, then that way her comb and scissors moved. And, the direction was always upward.

I will tell you that once upon a time I graduated from beauty school. That’s what it was called back then. I did not go on to become a hair dresser because I had no talent. My future flashed before my eyes at graduation. All I saw were bobby pins and old ladies. I shivered and moved on to factory work. That I was good at!

But, what I learned was that as you ” raise” the scissors and hair upward the hair gets shorter. Makes sense right. Did I mention that I had a picture of the hair cut I wanted. I had a front and rear view as I have had bad experiences in the past. These did not help her.

She showed me the back once as she questioned ” is this alright.” It hit me that she didn’t have a clue about cutting hair. It was all chopped up into layers. Not pretty layers that blended well, but chunks of layers, like a staircase. Not at all like the picture that was suppose to be almost one layer to the nap of my neck.

I pointed this out, and she said ” oh I’ll fix that” as if she could magically put my longer hair back, and continued slicing upward. After a few minutes I finally had to tell her to stop it was so short and lopsided. I pointed out that my haircut did not even look like the picture and all she did was bat her eyes at me.

I jumped out of the chair and told her to leave it, and like a coward I paid and left. What I really wanted to do was yell for the manager and scream my disgust over the terrible hair cut I had just received. And how dare they tell people that ” Katy was good with hair” when she cuts like a butcher.

I shed a lot of tears when I got home, and for several days afterward as I tried to moose down the flying chunks that wouldn’t stay put. Then I remembered the tears I shed when chemotherapy took all my hair away. I guess I better be glad with what I have before it gets taken away again. See, there is always a positive way to look at life even when your are pissed. Have a great day!