Just the Library Keeper

Okay, Government Health Care...

2009-07-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

My wife is qualified for Medicare - she and I and all of my working relations and most of the remainder of the United States of America pay a tax based on our income for this service, every paycheck, and have ever since Medicare was passed into law in the 1960's under President Johnson. It was to become a single payer health insurance for the aged (65+).

But her doctor's office has trouble getting Medicare to pay for my wife's treatment, they say there are other insurers that aren't paying FIRST! So they (the single payer government agency) doesn't pay. And for some reason the patient is the one that must make everything correct - not the doctor's office (do you have any idea of how large his staff is?), not the Medicare Agency (do you know how much they cost daily?). So the patient, who must be sick, must correct all the stuff because there isn't enough tax money and insurance premium around to push paperwork properly.

So, you call the 1-800-633-4227 number to get help and assistance - and receive a computer answering device of umpteen million dollars of stupidity. It's second sentence tells one to push two if you want to speak in Spanish (Chinese, French, Hindi and some others have greater population of speakers but not under Medicare?) of course it spoke that in Spanish. Why are they female voices, discriminating or thinking I won't swear at a female machine? Go through the selections and then choose to wait for a hovering in the background human being (doesn't the government know there is an employment crisis out there, hire some help!). No, I don't swear and especially against really stupid computers, but my blood pressure rises and that will kill me and cause more problems.

I did get help, human, female, and she is sending more paperwork my way since my wife expects me to be up on the front against the evil overlords, gangsters and rampant mice, moles and rat populations. The government wants me to be an unpaid agent for my wife in her Medicare issues. What is the world going to do when I am gone?

We did agree that my Health Insurance with my Employer (the State of Washington - still solvent here, California) is a primary payer and for some reason (subcontracting?) what it is called on my cards, Uniform Medical Plan, is known to Medicare as Harrington (the things I don't know), and I was to make sure (like I am an agent for making Medicare's billing properly) that the Doctor's office listed all payments made before asking Medicare for their payment.

Now, I am getting old, and ugly as it seems I will have to participate in a couple of years as my own agent and my wife's --- there is no chance that Universal Medical from the federal government will get my support - they will probably have to ENSLAVE me somehow. Or is that what they have already done, we's working for d'Man!

went to see Public Enemies...

2009-07-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

which was interesting, loud, violent and very close to history of the time that I have read. I was told to stop whispering to my date, so I did. we went out to dinner after, trying to save the restaurant business one place at a time. I did have trouble identifying the Public Enemy some times, if there had been some water boarding I would have known which were the bad guys, but then maybe almost everyone one was, look at the number of people protecting us now and how safe life is... or do something more interesting like art or literature with the time you save.

Consent of the ________?

2009-07-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

Seems I couldn't find my State of Washington License to carry concealed pistol, not since removing it from my wallet for the trip to Hawai'i. So yesterday and this morning I went without the paperwork showing the world my State government's approval for carrying my pistol concealed.

I am sure there is a rule about it. But when you enter the Army post, Fort Lewis, or the Air Force Base, McChord Air Force Base, there are signs saying that Concealed Carry Licenses are not honored. The Constitution of the United States of America is, but the Commander selectively reads the portions he will honor and the 2nd Amendment is never noticed. So if I were to carry concealed on military posts there are signs that I am doing something wrong, if I thought the piece of paper protected me, I am not sure that carrying a concealed weapon is wrong only that believing I was authorized by my state which has no control of the current commander.

So, since there doesn't seem to be a United Methodist Men's breakfast today, and I had time after watching an Opinion piece on CBS SUNDAY MORNING, a very highly recommended by EARL opinion piece, VIDEO I started the search for the missing documentation. And I have found it, so I am okay to be carrying concealed again. Although I have always believed if it was properly concealed that it isn't an issue, if I am a responsible adult (and I get to vote and sit as a juror) then I can carry arms. There is a book title that caught my eye "Privilege of the Sword" doesn't that sound cool? I guess I again have (born with it in America of my era) the Privilege of the Arms, and the Responsibility to Bear them in our defense.

Remember that government has to have my consent, not I have to have the government's. Boy, am I ever wrong when I think I am important...

You do remember not to trust the Government...

2009-07-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am getting old and I keep forgetting that the Government is not on my side - that is important, I only have two friends because I trust them, everyone else is suspect and below them is the government which I KNOW is trying to take all my extra for themselves.

I bring this up since I went to shoot at Fort Lewis Range 15 today. Having spent lots of time with my rifles over the past few months I thought it was time to shoot my carry pistol. I grabbed the case and away I went, passing all the bicyclists on their way to Portland from Seattle. When I got to the range I asked for a box of 9mm, and they didn't have any. So your government (of the people, by the people and for the people) doesn't have what it takes to run a good range. They do own sixty percent of General Motors Company, and that could be where all the 9mm is hiding.

Well, it is my fault, not the government's, so I shot what I brought and hit the target with every bullet, fifty percent of them in the black. It has been a bit since I was shooting double action short barreled firearms at twenty yards. I do have rounds in the pistol case: .22 LR, .45 APC, 9mm Luger. I am now placing forty-five and nine millimeter in the ammo box in the Caravan.

Why I ever trusted the government, they have done this to me before but I think they will get better the next time, and it doesn't happen.

Aren't they working on Universal Medical and the Economic Stimulus? Yeah, sure they are.

Just wanted you to know, they were paying attention

2009-07-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

I check what is written, and blog posts, and I watch for real people I would have loved. Got to be happy in life, there are so many Great Ones. Yeah, and he knew about shooting, well and for cause. Hope Heaven is happy, another good one to man the walls, watch from the towers and hold back the darkness.

Do read the story about the M1.

Plans, look he has plans....

2009-07-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

Seattle to Pittsburgh end of this month, by way of New York City or at least JFK. Orlando to Seattle early in August. That is going to age me a bit faster than normal, I am doing FLY OVER the Country! Let me sleep... grouchy old man.

The picture is from August 2005, when I was a good looking brand new Revolutionary War Veteran Association member, and they didn't have any Appleseed shoots that I could find in this fine state. Well, I have decided to work harder for my Instructor Red Hat and status. Just think, in another four years I could be closing in on retirement from the Library, and maybe becoming a Shoot Boss, or a Congressman - since ours voted for that last bill no one read.. and then again maybe I shouldn't go into politics -- folks still like me the way I am...

Linking Books and they circulate...

2009-07-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

First batch of books finished and moving out in circulation today, another book cart full going through processing, another cart unboxed and preparing to move into processing and four still to be opened boxes of books to go. Maybe, if everything works well I can get everything done by next Friday. Turned in my Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Kit Report for the month, now I have the library reports to email to the Gang of Three (Go3). Our special Interlibrary loan system for the Camps came back up on line today, so I know there are others out there as I see their replies to the requests. Looking forward to the book budget figures, since it was cut by fifty percent I will have to be tighter than I really am, more paperbacks and less latest of favorite authors, which always come out in hardback first.

As we start processing the materials the favored few show up to see what they HAVE TO HAVE FIRST, don't play well with others and you want to know why some of these patrons should stay here? Because they don't play well with others.

I switched from weekly letters to a blog...

2009-07-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

I had these long weekly letters, that my friends (all two of them) and my family didn't want nor need, so I switched to a blog. I get to do my writing about whatever I think is worth noting, and promote my wonderfoolself. I get to see the world my way, and I have met in binary code and sometimes over dinner or at a range people that are visiting my blog and doing things I can watch and join in. But you know, I do wish my family and friends (all two of them) would read me more often - so much about me and never enough about thee. Be good out there and go gently.

Thinking about the end of my civilization...

2009-07-08T19:15:00.001-07:00

It doesn't come in a big traumatic event, invasion, natural disaster nor wild virus. It comes when what I think isn't the norm for everyone else. When I become quaint, antique or out of fashion - that is when my civilization is done and gasping its last. Because I am busy I don't notice it and then suddenly I am lost and very alone for the darkness surrounds me and my eyes are dim.

It is a Library, so of course it is quiet, kind of...

2009-07-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

Had to tell an inmate not to bring his coffee into the library, no food nor drink allowed. He thought if he told me I should have a sign that he could stay with his coffee. Nope, I am a cranky old man and I want the rules obeyed. He put the coffee in the hall outside, then worried that someone would steal it.

I have been training the clerks in their new jobs, getting books processed and keeping things moving, not as fast as normal but trying to stomp out the little fires before they get to be big ones. This morning, because some inmates may have been outside the fence in civilian clothing, there was a total RECALL, Lock up, and Picture Card Count. That was a three hour exercise in making sure no one is missing, no one was missing but I was about three hours behind. I have some real workers so they came in as soon as they could and we caught back up.

On the work email was more of almost total silence. I had mentioned a couple days ago (Monday?) that it didn't seem like any of the other branches were open - not true, they piped up when they caught up enough to check the email. I had over nine hundred circs on Monday, 730 on Tuesday, and about 330 today - only open a few hours today. I need those books processed and linked before I go ordering new book carts for this month - not that they have a budget amount for me yet, but I can build the cart if I know what I have already.

Finish the June reports tomorrow, order supplies and try to get more done since I have only four and a half years left before I retire on Social Security and go find another job to keep me solvent.

Yes, still feeling Independent!

2009-07-06T22:44:00.000-07:00

I posted my pictures from the Appleseed Shoot at Castle Rock, Washington. That is Wade's Designated Appleseed Range and a fine time was had by all, I certainly did. Happy Fourth!

We are speaking English aren't we?

2009-07-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

I have been busy so I watch Good Morning America, to catch up. And Michael Jackson is still dead and sucking the money out of LA. Then there are five people shot to death by a man in South Carolina, and third ranking story is the current sitting President of the United States of America is in Moscow to sell ICBMs to the Russians as part of the Economic Stimulus Package, the money going to California to pay for Michael Jackson Memorial services forever.

Now the point about the English language was when I watched Diane Sawyer ask the Sheriff of that South Carolina county with the sick shooter, was he worried about everyone arming themselves. That was her question, was the Sheriff worried about ALL those people arming themselves against that threat, the sick shooter.

The word choice here is mine, but she was fishing for an answer that the Sheriff wasn't giving - because he was focused on catching and stopping the shooter - he was not concerned with his neighbors arming themselves (and likely if more of the victims had been armed maybe the shooting spree would have been over earlier, we don't know). She dipped into that well twice, and never caught the answer she wanted but I have an idea that I trust the Sheriff to catch the criminal more than I do the National News Journalist. Now where are my concealed carry permits? I have the pistols at hand, yes, I do have ammunition for them, too.

How was your holiday, the 4th of July?

2009-07-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Not that it matters, but mine was fine but very tiring. I was working at an Appleseed Shoot about ninety miles from my house, and it took a little more than an hour and a half to drive both ways on Saturday, and in the morning back down on Sunday - but because EVERYONE in the world wanted to be on the road going home when I did Sunday evening and it took over three hours.

Still, aside from reading the Declaration of Independence for content to contrast and compare with today, what could be a better way to celebrate the holiday than helping people learn how to shoot straight, and re-telling the American side of April 19, 1775. I was the Line Boss, and kept a safe range, told some of the stories, gave some of the instruction and encouraged everyone to have a good time and shoot better than they had before coming.

We had four young (too young for making trouble) boys with family to shoot and learn the skills. They sharpened right up, now if they will just grow into those rifles. Lots of ladies that had only a little experience with shooting, they all did well, when they relaxed and paid attention. One's final score was 209, with one shot missing (ran out of time, I heard). Only one point from a Rifleman. Still good shooting. Thanks for participating! In the American tradition of marksmanship and Freedom.

Oh, the lady mentioned above and her man are English, and although they didn't come to America so they could shoot on a nice weekend, they did enjoy the shooting and the right that they don't have in England any longer. Think about that, a lost right...

She said I needed a haircut, twice... I can take the

2009-07-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

hint, get out of the house and do something while she attacks her procrastination piles (the whole works - laundry, windows, plants, rugs, garage cleaning, etc.). So I leave to drop off my prescriptions for later pickup, go shopping for Bonnie and Clyde and The Getaway (McQueen and McGraw) DVDs (no joy, only current stuff on Base Exchange shelves). I am reading The Dillnger Days by John Toland (required reading before watching Johnnie Depp?).

from page 30 and a Lamm bank robbery:
"As the robbers were getting into the car, the driver, an ex-rumrunner with a hawklike nose, saw a man carrying a shotgun walk toward the bank. It was the local barber, one of the thousands of Indiana vigilantes organized to help local police combat the increasing bank holdups, who had been sitting in one of his chairs watching a friend follow the robbers into the bank. When this friend, a very methodical man, didn't reappear and continue as usual to the post office for his morning mail, the barber became puzzled, then suspicious."

Lovely, now I know why Indiana gunnies rock - precedent! shotgun armed barbers! Okay, it was in 1930 before the government started snipping manly body parts away.

I did buy three DVDs, one a Sexy Road trip (on motorcycles, a B minus movie?), one Jodie Foster proves guns are bad "The Brave One"?, and one for my war collection "Taking Chance" I don't get HBO for lots of reasons, but this one is a keeper.

I ran into a couple from my church at the Exchange, I ran into one of the McNeil Island post office workers in the Commissary and the bagger at the Commissary was from Orofino, Idaho, where I stayed while watching the Boomershoot (says he hasn't been back in years - another retired service person - enlist and see the world and have no home to go back to, the towns all shrink too tightly).

Now to get the medication, find some rat traps (although I said I would shoot it if she wanted me to - I have a pellet gun, a good pellet pistol). Then prepare for the rest of my life... or some such foolishness.

The work week is done... fast!

2009-07-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

I was watching some ants scurrying around in the heat and thought about how fast they get as it gets hotter, and it is getting hotter here. I seem to have dropped into that faster is better pace, walking to the dock today, longer strides more of them per minute and my trek over sooner. Maybe the doldrums from lolling in Hawai'i are in my past and the hamster wheel is spinning.

A short four day week, and we finished overdue notices today, added books to the collection, began to open and process books from the purchase orders, started training the clerks in new tasks and established a rotation of two weeks per station and job skills until everyone can do all the tasks. No more territorial rights, seniority dibs and been here longest. Our biggest circulation days were Monday and Tuesday, but we are open more hours then and were well used. I did inmate payroll and end of month reports, still waiting for a few missing numbers. I gave warning about my vacation (working out East) at the end of July first part of August - it will be fast, too. One of my older workers came back from court - he will leave when his address is approved, so I will lose two of the current workers in a couple of weeks or months and have to hire and train more, but that is a constant. I finished updating the Branch Manual, if you ever come to my library and want to know how to make it work, just look in the Branch Manual, everything except MY secret password is there to help you. Of course, I don't have time to read how anything is supposed to be done, I am too busy - which may be why they make me close and go off to learn, discuss and review how the library could be working if I read all the paper and plans that pass or plaster against me...

I was inspected this week by two fine men from Department of Corrections at McNeil Island, it was just a quick look around and talk to staff and inmate workers - giving the inspectors an impression that the library is fine and functioning, and the comment about needing one more worker was even in the report, I found out today that the Job Center lady is on vacation and who to contact if I had an emergency, I don't have one - we are full up again for a little bit.

For those that can't visit, we have two kinds of stands up along the roads in Washington now, one dollar for a basket of cherries (bumper crop and get them now!) and the fireworks stands everywhere - yes, you could buy totally noisy bangs for your bucks. Now I did catch World News tonight and know that the Stimulus Package isn't doing enough for the economy -- well, the President should take a lesson from a salesman in Puyallup, and he has Nearly Naked Fireworks stands, manned (or is it womanned?) by bikini clad babes. And those fireworks and the babes are moving, as opposed to America's economy. Although, I did catch that Ford is doing fine without the Washington leadership and oversight... The not so beautiful people are miffed about the babes, but they have been moving Latte for a long time in that costume, and the owner of the stands says next year there will be more of them.

I know that the world now thinks everything is new, but I have evidence that some things are forever, what was Eve clothed in before the Serpent ruined it all?

Those Greeks and Romans knew a lot about tile.

What if all my passions were shared by...

2009-07-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

I ride the Trusty Triumph and enjoy it, and since the SUN has returned blazingly to the Great Northwest all the other motorcyclists are out and enjoying the ride. Yes, all the other motorcyclists and the scooter folks, too. Now what if...

we had good public ranges everywhere and all the shooters would come out in the Sunshine and shoot? Wow, that would be awesome! One wouldn't feel he had to carry concealed, cause everyone would have one, and we would all be showing off the latest grips, stances and sighting equipment...

but that would be like long ago and far away, where the citizen was the soldier and had to train to the task of fighting and winning to protect all that was good in his life. Well, it was just a little thought straying from the mainstream... dear, would you turn the television on?

Posting will be light....

2009-07-01T05:11:00.000-07:00

I am working on getting a sexy hard body, and that takes time away from the monitor and back on the road work and heavy bag (sure, like I have a heavy bag some where). Tam mentions a book I should find and read to figure out why I might not make it through the next gun fight -- -Jim Cirillo; Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights, and Frank James spoke highly of him so two recommendations from those fine folks is enough, I am so far behind. Well, got to go - breakfast gruel and silly exercises call, what one does for love, sigh.

Okay, how do you pretend to be a real Gunny...

2009-06-30T05:56:00.000-07:00

if you aren't shooting?

Well, you come home and the mail has the NRA Store pamphlet, an advertisement from MidwayUSA (with a Whisper Air Rifle flashing at my buying bug), and Washington Arms Collectors' GUN NEWS. See, I must still be some kind of a Gunny, I am getting all the paper.

Speaking of paper, I took all the extra stuff out of my wallet before I went off to Hawai'i, and now I haven't my Concealed Pistol License from the State of Washington - I have lots to carry but no paperwork yet to make anyone pay attention. Piles of procrastination everywhere. I will dig into them after some breakfast and serious exercise and jogging. My goal is to be the coolest skinny old man in town, so all the long legged red heads will pay attention - they aren't doing more than shaking their head at the OLD MAN, which I am right now.

Still, I have certificates....

Okay, I don't seem to be shooting this month...

2009-06-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

So after a fine church service and coffee with my friend, and sharing cake that I bought from the ladies of the church with him and Ralph, I hop on my Trusty Triumph to zoom off into the beautiful Sunday afternoon. Top off the tank, reset my mileage counter and head off for adventure, looking for love in all the wrong places? No, it is all about the ride, folks, the twisting roads and the deep leans, and yes, I did scrape my boot heel on Waller road before the railroad crossing - nice to go so deep and come up so well. I did stop to warm up and talk and find smiles.

Harley-Davidson has been advertising going down and getting a test ride on anything new on the floor, so I did. Yes, I know that I could have done that in Hawai'i and still done it again today, but I was sure I might never come back if I rode in Hawai'i. Today my Trusty Triumph would keep me grounded. So I really stopped there twice, the second time was after a long ride and much satisfaction, I was ready to top a perfect afternoon off and I actually talked to the salesman. It was easy, so I was looking at things I could afford if I won the Lotto (need to buy that winning ticket!), and they had an 883 in my price range (cheaper than the Trusty Triumph) but it was Spring Clearance Sales on many models, the size seemed right but the seat was only painted on - no long trips on that machine - only to the corner grocery and bar. I moved to the Dyna, pretty stripped, lots of shine and lots of engine and six speeds (slow start, faster, faster, faster, faster and fastest longer). I posed for a picture on it with the Sunshine upon the balding pate (?), but that could be a sign of God's favor? or not.

They had a copy of my license (Statewide background check? for the insurance, fool!) and I signed a waiver holding the Dealership and H-D free from my heirs and lawyers for my certain demise. They wheeled the motorcycle out, explained some things about the set up, and allowed me to circle the buildings in the parking lot and then out on the road to run up and down the gears, practice braking and leaning and rolling on that throttle - even got two exits worth of I-5 (never noticed if there were other vehicles I was so engrossed in the machine's power). Nice ride even had some twisty turns to play with and then back to the dealership, for a survey and contact points to see if they can sell me that fine beast (some days I wish I were forty years younger and single - but then I realize I have it so much better than when I was twenty-one and only a sergeant in the Army with Vietnam waiting...

A very nice ride, a bit louder than I like in the pipes (the British are so civilized about noise), but lots of potential for happiness in that machine - it sure runs and rides better than that 1948 Flathead I had in 1966 through 1971. It was heavier backing up than my Trusty Triumph (pushing with only leg power) so I rode up the sidewalk ramp to turn it in.

Thanks, Destination Harley-Davidson of Tacoma, for a very nice point in my afternoon on the motorcycles. Nice ride, very. I rode away on my Trusty Triumph, and it still made my heart sing on the way home, that was when I got deep into the curve and dragged boot heel and rolled that throttle on and came up solid. We are really made for each other, or I fit what I ride well.

I did sit on a couple of Bones with the half-ape hangers, and they aren't bad but I would look really funny wearing my work tie and such on that bad a bike. But then I do look funny any way you see me. The picture of me outside in the shade has the Trusty Triumph waiting patiently above the handle bars of the Harley, and the photographer's girl friend waiting patiently for the picture to be over... patience is so good to find.

So how does the Federal government work?

2009-06-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

I woke at five to get ready for an Appleseed shoot, looking forward to roll up my sleeves and volunteer to help people become a Rifleman and teach and discuss the American Heritage that I enjoy.

After coffee and gruel I was on the road with my books, notebooks, equipment, one twenty-two target rifle with a GI web sling and wearing sunglasses from Hawai'i against the morning Sun in all its glory. I stopped and picked up lunch and water in Monroe at the Safeway. Then I drove to the range and found the gate closed, and the range disassembled, completely.

Okay, the berm is still there, but no overhead cover, no target stands up, no nice place to shoot. I was greeted by the property owner and he told me that the Feds had shut him down until all the legal hassle is over - which could be never. So the idea that law biding citizens can get together and shoot safely is done at that location -- I expect they will be coming for all of us soon enough. And I am sure they will come at us one at a time, this range, this shooter, this time.

Your tax dollars at work, what a waste of money. Do write the White House, your Senators, your Congressional Representative and your Governor, your local representative and speak up at church. And I was so ready to give up my weekend for safe shooting skills sharpened smoothly. Well, attending church, cutting grass, cleaning the house, riding the motorcycle (is that next?), and shooting on the range at Fort Lewis for my own darn fun.... take that President Obama, one would think you don't love me anymore.

Friday, week four of Keegan...

2009-06-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

He gets a picture taken today, and he is still in Hawai'i. Lucky fellow.

End of my work week:

The library was cleaned this morning, I have finished requesting a hundred and two InterLibrary Loans (ILLs), fifteen are already in shipping status and two more have been rejected. I didn't get another twenty-five because I couldn't find the title wanted. All reserves and ILLs on the shelves ready for pick up. The purchase order shopping was delivered today (ten big boxes of books!) with three UPS ILLs, and two boxes of J.L. Marcus catalogs (hmm and what they want is EastBay). The overdues are done, restrictions applied, and notices printed and addressed for distribution, the patron status is closer to being correct, since I have been deleting the released and re-assigned patrons. The emails are still a bit out of control, but working through them as I can. I should get ready for the weekend, MICC is totally ready for business. I did test and interview six applicants for the open position on Wednesday, but haven't had any assignment from the Job Center for filling the position. I did file for my travel and I did report my computer needs during upgrade.

I need more paper for my printer at home, I need to finish the yard, I need to rest and review before going to the Appleseed in Monroe this weekend and I should get off the computer... take care out there. My wife mentioned that famous people die young, and I told her that she and I will live a long, long time.

Lush, just so lush...

2009-06-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

America has been blest, abundantly. This is Summer and the green grows lush in Washington, except for the grass without watering, but the trees, bushes and flowers have saved their energy for the battle to the Sunshine, long branches come from the woods and leaf trying to catch every ray they can, the blackberry bushes grow long and then leaf, flower and change to berries later, every living plant struggles against the insects, the other plants and the careless animals and humankind.

The rose is from one of those grocery store Valentine's Day sales, purchased years ago for my wife, and when she lost interest in the artificial thought I took it out and planted it.

Year after year it comes back, maybe the thought wasn't as commercial and artificial as it seemed at first, some things just endure and others really bloom with a little love and care. Thank you for paying attention.

Universal Health Care... starts at home with me...

2009-06-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Popular subject, what can we do about health care? Well, no way should the government be promising to provide it. Have you run into Medicare and Medicaid? Those are government programs and the Congressmen and women don't use them for their health care. End of subject, if the government of the United States of America can't organize a health care system for its old folks, there is no way it could do better for the remainder of the nation.

If and when the Veteran's Administration, the Medicare and Medicaid programs get their programs in order and provide first class or at least something that a President should use then maybe the government could provide system for all. But I won't hold my breath, but will laugh at the fools running around not understanding what the challenge is that has never been met by the government.

I don't have any real knowledge of health care, I and my employer pay for my coverage and my wife's, then Medicare is also in the mix now, and some fine program called TriCare for Life. The last two are government programs - and I seem to have some VA disability that also qualifies me for some assistance. Guess which coverage always pays on time on the money? the one paid for by my employer and I, guess which ones can't decide if they should pay but know that to have one you must have Medicare Part B? But then the bills don't get paid if they THINK you are hiding one of your insurers that should pay before they do. And no, it isn't my problem yet, but my doctor's office staff is going crazy trying to keep track of the bills.

Nope, government is not the answer, folks. They can't keep illegal immigration, drugs and terrorist attacks from messing up one's day, they will never keep you healthy.

I do seriously wish you all good health and much happiness, but those always start with yourself and how you live in this wonderful world. The folks in government haven't promised you anything except the Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness - and the current bunch probably think they understand those words.

Oh, I do know why the medical insurance that my employer and I pay for pays first and on time, because I can quit paying and change to another (once a year). Ever try to stop paying TAXES? don't but you can figure out why the politicians think owning everyone and then having their own health care system is so good. Trouble is there aren't that many positions to get elected to, not for all of us'ns.

Flower power...

2009-06-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Long day, much done yesterday and Friday looks good to finish up. I got off the bus and onto the Trusty Triumph at eight-fifteen and rolled out into the world, gently. The smell of the flowering bushes hit me, in Hawai'i it is flower season but here the smell reaches out under my face mask, and I cruise on home noticing the different fragrances and the cool moist air of the near invisible creeks the road passes over. Some drivers never get this sensory overload, but then nothing gets between me and the Trusty Triumph save Nature's best. I stop at the grocery for wine and Blue Cheese, I am getting closer to being Earl every day back from Hawai'i.

Although, my dreams to waken from are still on the island of Ohahu with palm trees and sand.

zoom, zoom, zoom...

2009-06-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

Got home after midnight last night, awake at 6:30, on the move to the computer to find what I had been missing. Out the door and on to the Trusty Triumph to ride to the Doctor's for my check up. So, my blood pressure is perfect, weight fine for a fat'tle ol' man, and I get back on the motorcycle and zoom to the post office where I graciously accept a compliment on the Trusty Triumph. Always from a former rider, wishing he still were. Zoom home to make my gruel and have half a cup of coffee before zooming off to meet the other library keeper with my set of keys. Good meet and briefing. I lost two library clerks to court and work release, I am down to only two.

Ride the ferry to the island, walk into and grab two full mail bins on my way in, I have to catch up and I haven't unlocked the door to my library yet. I get to work, grab a new worker that the Job Center lady tells me is ready to work, so I am back to three. Find I made a pay mistake on the 1st of June, has been corrected by my supervisor. I find more emails than I can work on, and the book bins call, the book carts are full, the interlibrary loans have stopped and we haven't received enough that have come in (thirty status questions wait for me), and I have two bins of mail ready to go out and take them to the post office, and two that need work, so I start on them. There were only six days I had a closed library, and six days that some opened the library for circulation - which was good, because they did a lot of work, but it isn't the same as if I had been there and on top of the changing inmate clerk status, the mail the malfunctions and the way the library sings when everything is working. It is an intense eight hours and then it is over - still lots of work to do and figure out what I am missing and how is it going to go tomorrow. But there is the ride home, zoom, zoom, zoom. Take that blood pressure (best remind myself that speed limits will be enforced even on old motorcyclists and Triumphs). Did see the new Fury parked down by the dock, will have to look closer.

Bill paying tomorrow, gently jogging and more, much more zooming off to make the library better for all its patrons. There is no way that the staffing of the institutional libraries is anything more that just barely meeting the minimum passing grade. And if I didn't ride my motorcycle and the ferry, I could end up with terminal High Blood Pressure and hope for an L&I claim that would cover the cost of tropical islands for the few remaining years... some one did win a three million dollar prize, unclaimed as yet - dare I check? Nah, just eat the great dinner my wife has for me and thank the Lord life is so good.... nite! The doctor wanted to know if I had gone on my vacation with my wife, and then was amazed that I hadn't stressed out because she was there with me. Silly Doctor!

Oh, the White House emailed me and asked me to roll up my sleeves and join United We Serve! but I think I am busy, they don't want me to teach the children of Washington DC how to shoot better, and I know my religious reasons aren't going to make anyone of them happy. So I guess I will continue to wait for the Obamas to catch up with me and my family's life of service, tithing and community (all without government intervention).

fat'tle ol' man = fat little old man - I measured only 5' 11'' today!