December 2011 "From My Perspective"

[Trudy in Illinois]

trudy_dec_2011.png 2011 Dec. From My Perspective

My generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
We: went to a Saturday morning movie which had some credence to it and a hero our parents approved of: Hoppy, Gene, Roy, Lash, Andy and his gang, Spanky and the gang, Laurel and Hardy, etc. Said prayers in school, test or not. Read the Bible in school---"first 10 lines of any area you choose," said my English teacher. Wouldn't dream of showing disrespect to a teacher; they were to be respected. Got a whack in school if we needed it and our parents agreed; then, we got twice that when we got home (well, I did). Were "grounded until you grow a beard/your hair grows to your waist", if we didn't toe the mark. Had a curfew of "by sundown" in the summer; 7 in the winter, or school days---Sunday included."Lights out"by 9 on school nights. I wondered how Mother knew I'd called the neighbor" a snake in the grass" and made me apologize, even though that is what Mother had called her when talking to Daddy. Had one telephone to talk on, and then had to ask permission, AND there was a time limit. Had only one television and adults ruled it. I hated the Friday night fights sponsored by Gillette. Had to eat breakfast every day before school. Had chores and we'd dang well better do them, too. Shared what we had even though the other had as much, by going one day without eating so we could appreciate the food we were given. Talked disrespectfully just once...wouldn't need braces on our teeth if it happened again. Helped take care of the younger ones by feeding, holding, folding diapers (incessantly!), babysitting for free ("We give you room and board; why should you be paid for taking care of your brother and sister?") Then there was Mother's lecture about what I was to do after I graduated from high school. "You will further your education through college---it just better be that choice! You will graduate from college with a degree in something we all can be proud of, and I don’t mean basket weaving." When I told her I didn't think I was college material, she let me know in no uncertain terms, "You have come from educated stock. Don't you dare let your father hear you say that; so, put that foolish thought out of your mind, young lady!!". I swore to myself I'd NEVER expect that of my children, let alone voice it. Don't ever do that when you haven't been a parent for 16 years. NEVER leaves your vocabulary shortly after they learn to crawl; it doesn't return either. What does come back to haunt you is (I told the kid(s) what Mother had said many years prior) they told me I was saying the very same thing to them that she had said to me. History does repeat itself.

At the grocery store I stopped to look at the bazillion choices I had in front of me. This was just in the dairy and egg sector. Dairy: milk---whole, 2%, 1%, ½%, skim, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, soy (plain, vanilla, chocolate), rice, almond, acidophilus, lactose-free. Eggs: small, medium, large, extra large, brown, white, free-range, omega-3 enhanced, organic, and the most confusing……egg substitute. Gods, what makes this, a substitute chicken? I strolled to the produce. While trying to decide what type of orange I wanted (jeeze, such decisions), I heard a clap of thunder then rain. It was raining (misting) on the veggies in the case. I had reservations about going to the toilet paper area.

My 4 year old granddaughter is very observant. Her 2 year old brother was at the table with her. Mommy said, “Buddy, your spoon is on your place mat.” ‘Muffin’ (I call her Muffin because she loves muffins) said, “Mommy, look at the lines? It’s a fork.”

Diet Soda ---more info revealed, now linked to a "61% higher chance" of heart attack or stroke. Let's not even mention the headaches, the horrible taste, and the purging and sucking of calcium from your bones. Flat-out, soda is NOT good for you. Cheesecake on the other hand has some nutrition.

My son and his 4 year old daughter were having this discussion: What came first, the chicken or the egg?
CJ-Ummmm, the chicken. Daddy-Well then where did the chicken come from? CJ-The egg. Daddy-Well then what laid the egg? CJ-The chicken!!! Daddy-Well then, where did the chicken come from? CJ-THE BARN! No one has ever thought to ask a child; now we all know.

Two brothers, one a cosmetic surgeon and the other a Christian counselor shared the same office space. Their sign: COME IN AND HAVE YOUR FAITH LIFTED.
Their other two brothers were doctors. One was a psychiatrist and the other a proctologist. They were next door. Their sign read: ODDS AND ENDS.

I went to Burger King and ordered a hamburger with grilled mushrooms, grilled onions, caviar, and melted provolone cheese. They told me they didn't serve that. I told them, "The advertisement says, 'Have it your way' and that is my way. I'm suing tomorrow for false advertising.” They told me they'd meet me in hell. I told them, "Have it your way."

WHAT YOU PLANT: * If you plant honesty, you will reap trust * If you plant goodness, you will reap friends * If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success * If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation. Be careful what you plant because you will reap what you sow. ♥ 2 u; u did.

In matters of conscience the law of majority has no place. –Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)
In essence, what’s right is right, what’s wrong is wrong. Majority does NOT rule here.

Here are some things I’ve wondered about: Why is the skin sterilized before a lethal injection? Why do some farmers name the animals they plan on eating? (“This fried rabbit is good.” “Thanks. It’s Barney.”) Why not do away with pennies and just have items’ prices end in 0 or 5 since our money is based on these numbers? Why do non-working teens need a cell phone, car, expensive shoes and expensive clothes? Why do torn and tattered jeans cost more than $75, but nice new ones don’t? Why are hot dogs packed in lots of 10 and the buns in lots of 8? Why do insurance companies gladly take your money each month, but get mad at you when you have a claim? Why is Christmas music played for 5 weeks before that day, but Halloween music isn’t played but on the day before, if that?

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" was sung by Thurl Ravenscroft (1914-2005), who also voiced Tony the Tiger ("They're grrrrrreat!!")

I was reading to Hubby the healing powers of various gems. He asked me to find out about diamonds since he knows how much I love them. I read, “Diamond is a great assistance for all brain diseases. It is beneficial in stomach area. Diamonds strengthen the owner's memory.” He snorted, “Guess yours are working just fine since you’re able to remember every damn thing I’ve done wrong.” ‘Guess I won’t get anymore. ****

sitzfleisch (SITZ-flaish, ZITS-) noun 1. The ability to sit through or tolerate something boring. 2. The ability to endure or persist in a task. [From German Sitzfleisch, from sitzen (to sit) + Fleisch (flesh). I can think of some professors’ lectures on this one. lebensraum (LAY-behns-roum) noun 1. Space required for living, growth, and development. [From German Lebensraum (living space), from Leben (life) + Raum (space). This is not to be confused with LIEBERSTRAUM which is the 3 love songs by Franz Liszt. schwarmerei (shver-muh-RY) noun 1. Extravagant enthusiasm. 2. Excessive sentimentality. [From Schwärmerei (enthusiasm), from schwärmen (to swarm, to be wild or mad about).

Harry S Truman didn’t put a period after the S in the middle name position. The reason is his parents could NOT agree on what name to give him. Stanislaus or Svensky were the choices. So, they left it just an S.

I had someone ask me if the “Mom-tales” I tell about living here are true. Here is my reply, “The accounts of what goes on and is said around here at BEDLAM MANOR are true...no names are even changed to protect the innocent. I do take a bit of liberty weaving the story-line, though because sometimes the situation is either painful to remember or embarrassing. Just today....30 minutes ago....the boy wonder waltzed in the door with his point sheet in hand. At his school, the students start every day with 30 points. As the day progresses points are subtracted for infractions of the classroom rules and their behavior. Well, he came in with 20/30 which is a 67%. That school considers 67 to be a D; it's an F in my book. He had refused to work for one hour and ten minutes at the beginning of the morning and did nothing. He got nasty, mouthed-off (imagine a teen doing that!!) and showed his ornery side I have an old, multi-seated, wooden church pew in the entrance of our home. He was told he was to sit there for 1:10 because that is EXACTLY how long he refused to work and did nothing at school; so he’ll do nothing as he sits. He tried a verbal battle with me, which is like trying to have a sword fight with Scaramouch using a plastic picnic knife (I see you visualizing). Then my announcement of, "My reinforcement, your aunt, (she helps me keep him under control with offers he can’t refuse) will be here about 4:10, just in time to have a chat with you about your day." Visualize the paling of 17 year old skin and a mouth shutting faster than Superman's cape in the wind. He got up once to ask me something. I told him, "Get up again and I add 10 more minutes to your time on the bench." This, folks, is part of living at Bedlam Manor with 2 teens who think they’re smarter than a 66 year old mother.

When I was raising my children, I'd get all honked off and out of sorts about their not doing what I’d told them to do. I'd get all upset that the house wasn't cleaned in my time frame. Then a friend said to me, "Trudy, it took God 6 days to make the world; your house is small. God had 2 children; they disobeyed Him. So, what makes you think you'll get your house cleaned in 1 day and your kids will do what you tell them to?" She had a point and I saw it. I, also, believe God made others to clean my house. So, I employ them and make them and God happy.

All the best to you today and for next year. Trudy

[mspete]

Trudy, you have written an excellent essay again! Thank you for sharing with us each month! God bless.

[Trudy in Illinois]

You're very welcome, mspete. This is my release, my joy ride. I'm so glad it is enjoyed.

The avalanche of paperwork I am having to wade through is interesting. I'm sure the upper northwest corner of Oregon is almost bare. Last Friday I received 15 envelopes from Blue Cross Blue Shield about what they're not paying to a particular hospital. That gets my attention. Then in paragraph 2, line 4 it says, "This was approved." NO wonder the insurance industry is in the quagmire it's in.....they don't know if they're coming or going. One of these days, I'll know exactly what is to be paid from my pocket. WHAT A CONFUSING MESS!!!

[berilthedwarf]

Oh man, don't even get me started about the insurance companies! Oh wait, too late...

So, I was prescribed a long-term medication by my doctor, 5 mg, 3 times a day. I sent it off to my insurance company's mail order prescription program and a week or two later had my big bottle of 270 pills (3 times a day, 3 month supply). A month or so later I received a letter stating that, because the medication was "extended release", they only allowed 1 pill per day and I would need to pay them back. After half a dozen phone calls from my doctor, they got it sorted out (I think, though it's hard to be sure), though subsequently I've had to switch to 10mg once a day because they don't make a 15mg pill and 20mg is too much. It's not working quite as well, but it'd be too expensive to pay for it out of pocket (I'm already shelling out a chunk of my paycheck for the insurance coverage as it is).

However, having said all this, I don't hold the insurance company fully responsible for the debacle. The insurance companies are being squeezed by, well, pretty much everybody. I can't cite where I read it, but I remember reading that a typical insurance company's profit margin is only 1%-2%. In almost any other industry, that would be cause to close your doors- CocaCola, for example, has a profit margin easily in the double digits. The insurance companies use sophisticated computer software, statisticians and the like to figure out what they can cover and for how much and still be competitive along such a thin margin. I wasn't the only one with this problem, either- my doctor said he's had quite a few patients, with a number of different insurance companies, all doing similar things since the passage of the new health care law (which clamps down on them further).

I have plenty of ideas as to how to solve the healthcare issues in this country, but I doubt many would like them- on the right or the left... and the lobbyists would likely put a very large bounty on my head.

[Trudy in Illinois]

Well, Snow White's friend, (dwarfwise),
There are many of us who are logical thinkers who could really solve a lot of problems of this country. I think those who are considered "The Greatest Generation" should be consulted because there isn't a single person in power now who could handle what they did in WWII. My dad commanded a ship at Iwo Jima during the conquest. He was 26. I know of NO 26 year old who could do what he did and still remain as calm as he did and bring the ship and crew to safety.

When the politicians go haywire with their plans and wonder, "Where the blazes was the glitch?" I will smirk and think, "Well, you didn't ask me, did you?"

Trudy