You know you live in Northern New York when....
you look for gloves when the mercury gets to +10 degrees;
you pay your dollar to support the local polar-bear dip in February;
you plan your vacation around when your favorite state park is open;
you look for more people to attend Zumba, the hospital's latest money-maker;
you drive your "all-wheel drive" car to the ice fishing derby;
you make corn chowder AGAIN;
you wish Velentine's Day would last all year so your senior friends would remember they are loved'
you sing "God Will Take Care of You", and believe it.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
NOT the Solution
I know I've dealt with this subject before, but.....
It's come up again.
This time it is a young man in his thirties with children and a 73-year-old mother who has decided the only recourse for his problems is to shoot himself.
His funeral was today.
His estranged wife didn't let the children go to the funeral.
Maybe that was a wise decision.
I hope it wasn't just being petty.
These folks don't live near me, and I never even heard of them before the anguished request on "Facebook" to "Pray for the ____ family."
So, I will.
Not only the blood family, but the church family, which is also devastated.
Hard to think that good can come from such a tragic event.
But, we know God IS in control.
It's good we don't have to understand in order to believe.
It's come up again.
This time it is a young man in his thirties with children and a 73-year-old mother who has decided the only recourse for his problems is to shoot himself.
His funeral was today.
His estranged wife didn't let the children go to the funeral.
Maybe that was a wise decision.
I hope it wasn't just being petty.
These folks don't live near me, and I never even heard of them before the anguished request on "Facebook" to "Pray for the ____ family."
So, I will.
Not only the blood family, but the church family, which is also devastated.
Hard to think that good can come from such a tragic event.
But, we know God IS in control.
It's good we don't have to understand in order to believe.
Monday, February 22, 2010
nutella
I saw the commercial.
I discovered the jar at the supermarket.
I read the label. "Hazelnut Spread with Skim Milk & Cocoa"
I purchased the product.
I left the jar on the shelf for a week, working up courage to try something new.
I made a slice of toast and applied the contents, as suggested.
(Contents have the consistency of crankcase oil.)
I looked at my work. (Dark brown and shiny.)
I ate the toast. ("An example of a tasty yet balanced breakfast: a glass of skim milk, orange juice, and Nutella on whole wheat bread")
Guess what.
The nutrition that comes from Nutella boasts 11 g of fat, 200 calories, 15 mg sodium, 22g carb, 1 g fiber, 21 g sugars, and 3 g protein.
Oh, but there are over 50 hazelnuts per Jar!!
"The original creamy, chocolaty hazelnut spread" can be visited on the web at www.NutellaUSA.com (It's made in Canada.)
Enjoy!*
*slightly-used jar of Nutella will be given to first respondent, no questions asked.
I discovered the jar at the supermarket.
I read the label. "Hazelnut Spread with Skim Milk & Cocoa"
I purchased the product.
I left the jar on the shelf for a week, working up courage to try something new.
I made a slice of toast and applied the contents, as suggested.
(Contents have the consistency of crankcase oil.)
I looked at my work. (Dark brown and shiny.)
I ate the toast. ("An example of a tasty yet balanced breakfast: a glass of skim milk, orange juice, and Nutella on whole wheat bread")
Guess what.
The nutrition that comes from Nutella boasts 11 g of fat, 200 calories, 15 mg sodium, 22g carb, 1 g fiber, 21 g sugars, and 3 g protein.
Oh, but there are over 50 hazelnuts per Jar!!
"The original creamy, chocolaty hazelnut spread" can be visited on the web at www.NutellaUSA.com (It's made in Canada.)
Enjoy!*
*slightly-used jar of Nutella will be given to first respondent, no questions asked.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Oh, Yes...
I just talked with the Social Services lady at the hospital/SNF.
Of course you could go home...if you had a home to go to.
You are ambulatory and able to dress yourself.
(Don't worry about the fact that you haven't been "allowed" to do that for several years.)
You would need 24-hour supervision, just in case you decided to use the stove and forgot it was on.
(Of course, you haven't had that urge for many moons, since your meals have all been provided.)
If you were with family. But you had no children, and your sister is almost as old as you are. And all your nieces and nephews are busy scraping out a living.
And you're on Social Security, so you probably wouldn't be able to heat your big old house and provide nourishing food for yourself.
And if someone did come and stay with you 24/7, they would need to be paid.
And they would need time off.
And so, you're in a pickle, because you're not really needing nursing care.
But you can't be independent, either.
And there are 26 others needing to be "placed".
And the options are limited.
Very limited.
Of course you could go home...if you had a home to go to.
You are ambulatory and able to dress yourself.
(Don't worry about the fact that you haven't been "allowed" to do that for several years.)
You would need 24-hour supervision, just in case you decided to use the stove and forgot it was on.
(Of course, you haven't had that urge for many moons, since your meals have all been provided.)
If you were with family. But you had no children, and your sister is almost as old as you are. And all your nieces and nephews are busy scraping out a living.
And you're on Social Security, so you probably wouldn't be able to heat your big old house and provide nourishing food for yourself.
And if someone did come and stay with you 24/7, they would need to be paid.
And they would need time off.
And so, you're in a pickle, because you're not really needing nursing care.
But you can't be independent, either.
And there are 26 others needing to be "placed".
And the options are limited.
Very limited.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
"There's No Reason..."
"There's no reason I can't just go home. The aides could come in daily, like they did before."
The only reason you can't, my dear Medicaid patient friend, is that the government now has you in their sights. Your life is no longer your own. You were evaluated and found to be needy, so you went to the Skilled Nursing Facility, accompanied by large, long sighs from all your relatives and friends.
"It's best for her." "None of us could have made the 24/7 commitment that was required." "She'll be with other people, so she won't be lonely." "They will take care of all her needs."
And, they have. But now the SNF is closing. So "they" are having to "place" you in another safe environment. I doubt very much that going home will meet their perameters. So you will probably have to be much farther, geographically, from your beloved home and friends. You will not get as many visits. You will feel betrayed. You will fall into depression. You will probably succumb.
Of course, old people do that wherever they are. At least you were "safe".
The only reason you can't, my dear Medicaid patient friend, is that the government now has you in their sights. Your life is no longer your own. You were evaluated and found to be needy, so you went to the Skilled Nursing Facility, accompanied by large, long sighs from all your relatives and friends.
"It's best for her." "None of us could have made the 24/7 commitment that was required." "She'll be with other people, so she won't be lonely." "They will take care of all her needs."
And, they have. But now the SNF is closing. So "they" are having to "place" you in another safe environment. I doubt very much that going home will meet their perameters. So you will probably have to be much farther, geographically, from your beloved home and friends. You will not get as many visits. You will feel betrayed. You will fall into depression. You will probably succumb.
Of course, old people do that wherever they are. At least you were "safe".
Monday, February 15, 2010
Did you hear?
There is an atheist group that is promising to care for the pets of those who disappear at the time of the rapture! For only $100, you can be sure that Fido and Muffy are cared for upon your being "caught up". The atheists, of course, are laughing their heads off, since they don't believe in this event. Those who do believe think it's a small price to pay for pet insurance. Of course, we're not sure who is going to legislate all this animal care. I'm sure those left behind will have far greater problems than doling out the kibbles and bits.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Skilled Nursing Facility
"To generate enough revenue to run the program, the hospital would need a $10 million endowment or a skilled nursing unit with at least 100 beds...."
This was the statement of the CEO of the hospital at the public meeting Thursday evening.
It's all business. Medicaid pays $155 a day for each Medicaid patient; the cost for each is $237. Although the rate has supposedly gone up to $203 a day, those funds have not come in....and they are still short.
Do we believe in business? Or in miracles?
A committee of concerned citizens is planning to work on the second option, knowing in advance the dreary financial picture for the local, state, and federal governments. If a miracle occurs, I'm thinking it will take supernatural help and private, not public, finances.
This was the statement of the CEO of the hospital at the public meeting Thursday evening.
It's all business. Medicaid pays $155 a day for each Medicaid patient; the cost for each is $237. Although the rate has supposedly gone up to $203 a day, those funds have not come in....and they are still short.
Do we believe in business? Or in miracles?
A committee of concerned citizens is planning to work on the second option, knowing in advance the dreary financial picture for the local, state, and federal governments. If a miracle occurs, I'm thinking it will take supernatural help and private, not public, finances.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Old and Helpless
Our local hospital announced this week that it will be closing the Skilled Nursing Facility, in which reside about 30 oldsters. This was decided upon because the outgo (financial) is greater than the income. Over 90% of the residents are there through the generosity of the government program of Medicaid. Apparently the generosity has run out.
Where will these folks go? Who will care for them? Several of them cannot care for themselves in any way. Others are just frail and forgetful. The area nursing homes are full. The families are preoccupied with keeping themselves and their households afloat in these perilous times.
Is this Obamacare before it even begins? They say they will not put anyone out. But what will be their choice, if individuals cannot find a place to live?
Stay tuned for later developments.
Where will these folks go? Who will care for them? Several of them cannot care for themselves in any way. Others are just frail and forgetful. The area nursing homes are full. The families are preoccupied with keeping themselves and their households afloat in these perilous times.
Is this Obamacare before it even begins? They say they will not put anyone out. But what will be their choice, if individuals cannot find a place to live?
Stay tuned for later developments.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Honest!
I know you'll have a hard time believing this, but it's true.
During the 44th Super Bowl game, after observing the football knowledge exhibited by Sean Payton, the Saints' coach (not to be confused with Peyton Manning, the Colts' quarterback--who actually didn't have much of a chance to exhibit his vast knowledge of the same subject) I really and truly DID call the on-side kick that turned the whole game upsidedown and way around, to the point where the New Orleans Saints, sentimental favorite simply because their sponsor city has had a really bad stroke of luck for the past several years, actually won their Very First Super Bowl! Honest. I did.
During the 44th Super Bowl game, after observing the football knowledge exhibited by Sean Payton, the Saints' coach (not to be confused with Peyton Manning, the Colts' quarterback--who actually didn't have much of a chance to exhibit his vast knowledge of the same subject) I really and truly DID call the on-side kick that turned the whole game upsidedown and way around, to the point where the New Orleans Saints, sentimental favorite simply because their sponsor city has had a really bad stroke of luck for the past several years, actually won their Very First Super Bowl! Honest. I did.
Friday, February 5, 2010
"Facebook"
My daughter got me into it when she wanted me to be her friend.
My husband warns of viruses I can get when I use it.
My son's posts are cryptic, usually referring to some game he's playing on it.
I have friends from my high school class, students I taught in high school, and some present-day high schoolers as friends.
Most of my friends are female, so the topics include weather, baby puke, crock pots, and boredom.
The thing I like most about "Facebook" (or "fb") is the reaching out and touching.
It's sort of like a gigantic chat room, where you can read each other's posts without having to sit right there and participate.
Depending on your station in life, you can waste time, receive inspiration, or communicate with relatives you haven't even met.
My husband warns of viruses I can get when I use it.
My son's posts are cryptic, usually referring to some game he's playing on it.
I have friends from my high school class, students I taught in high school, and some present-day high schoolers as friends.
Most of my friends are female, so the topics include weather, baby puke, crock pots, and boredom.
The thing I like most about "Facebook" (or "fb") is the reaching out and touching.
It's sort of like a gigantic chat room, where you can read each other's posts without having to sit right there and participate.
Depending on your station in life, you can waste time, receive inspiration, or communicate with relatives you haven't even met.
Monday, February 1, 2010
just wonderin'
Have you seen any muscilage lately? The kind in the little "coke-shaped" bottle and the rubber tip with the slit in it? We have Elmer's glue and super glue and airplane glue, but I haven't seen the bottle glue. Of course, I remember when paste at school came in gallon containers and the teacher would dole out a lump to each artist. So maybe I'm behind the times?
Anyway....just a random thought from my random mind.
Anyway....just a random thought from my random mind.
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