Saturday Wordzzle Challenge: Week 76

This is week 76 of the Saturday Wordzzle challenge. Anyone new to the process can refer back here to find out how it works.



The words for this week's ten word challenge were: superlative, flea market, falling leaves, disinformation, who was that masked man?, keeping kids out of trouble, I'm a believer, bonnet in the attic, staff, generation For the mini challenge: deep in the forest, government, charming, heirlooms, flabbergasted




My 10-word:

Our first venture into the world of flea markets was on a superlative Fall day, the kind that makes it seem like anything is possible. The falling leaves were a rainbow of nature's wondrous magic and the whole family (even my teenage daughter and my mother-in-law) were happily united in our enthusiasm for the day's event. We had found a great project to bring the generations together that was a great way of keeping the kids out of trouble and even making a little money. It had started when Marcus found an old Lone (who was that masked man?) Ranger costume and an antique bonnet in the attic. Now we all piled happily into the van for weekly jaunts to flea markets around the area. Having the kids staff our booth was pure genius on my husband's part. I had some doubts at first, but now I'm a believer and we're a happy, united family at last. Don's mother and I are even starting to get a long. Who'd a thunk that was possible!?



The mini:


Lefty Lagorno was flabbergasted to discover that the government safe house deep in the forest where the Feds were hiding him was not some bare bones shack but a charming cottage furnished with what seemed to be magnificent heirlooms. Going straight, he thought, might not be so bad after all.




And the mega:


The Bonnet in the Attic Flea Market held weekly at the Falling Leaves State Park Fair Grounds was a magnificent venue for the generation of funding to maintain the the Park's extensive grounds. They had a superlative staff which included baby sitters for keeping kids out of trouble while their parents either shopped or marketed their wares. The flea market sported a wide range of goods from charming arts and crafts to heirlooms to junk and even included a farmer's market. It was universally popular with vendors, shoppers and tourists alike, which is why almost everyone was flabbergasted when a small masked group of alleged Ultra Right Wing Lunatics began a disinformation campaign protesting the use of government land for profit. "I'm a believer in free enterprise," their leader intoned through his megaphone to a crowd that was mainly both uninterested and unimpressed, though an occasional wag would quip, "who was that masked man?" Eventually a curious reporter decided it would be fun to know the answer to that question and discovered that the so-called protesters had been hired by the proprietor of Deep in the Forest Antiques who resented the competition. He became something a laughing stock and his shop - which initially lost even more business - became known to many as Masked Man Enterprises. Luckily he did have both a conscience and a sense of humor and he eventually set up his own booth at the flea market where he turned a great profit.



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Next Week's Ten Word Challenge will be: blind panic, apartment, fleas, soap operas, cajun cooking, free and easy, legal, sangria, public school, new

For the mini challenge: class, calendar, keeping secrets, boring, fashion

Thanks for playing. For those who are new, here are some guidelines to make the process more fun.

Enjoy! See you next week.

DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR NAME TO MR. LINKY!!!!!

Tommy Douglas, Author of Canadian Health Care

Tommy Douglas was the author of the Canadian Health Care system. There are lots of false rumors about how bad the Canadian system is despite the fact that most Canadians love it and would not trade it for anything - especially our system... A few years back in a national poll for the Greatest Canadian - this man came in first.





And a speech he gave regarding Canadian Medicare...




And for those of you who dedicatedly oppose public option health care, here's a link where you can express your opposition. You can use this to express your opposition to Medicare and to sign away your right to participate in it now or in the future. You might want to oppose the VA too. That's truly socialized medicine. Last I heard, the army hasn't gone commie.

Health Insurance Reform Reality Check

Information from the White House regarding Health Care Reform:

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.




Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.




Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.




Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.






Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.



Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.




Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.




Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick. Learn more and get details:


http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform

Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.




We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.




Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.




Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.




You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.




No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make. Learn more and get details: http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/?e=11&ref=myth1 http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq/?e=11&ref=myth1

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html




Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html




Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html




Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes




Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline




The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction




Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html




The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf?e=11&ref=report

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And something I stole from Jay Simser over at Bailey's Buddy:

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And... anyone who hasn't seen the movie SICKO really should put it on your to do list. Whatever you think of Michael Moore, he resists going over the top with this movie and presents a great deal of information on health care systems around the world. Granted, I started out in agreement with him so I'm not totally unbiased, but I think it's a film worth watching in any case. Here's a link to some interesting and significant and well documented health care information from Moore's website.

Congressman Hinchey on Health Care Reform

I received the following email from my Congressman today. I thought it was worth sharing. I'm so glad he represents me!




Dear Ms. Rabenau:


Thank you for contacting me regarding your support of the health care legislation that is currently being debated in the House. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.


Like you, I am very concerned about how expensive health care is and how many people go without it. All Americans should have access to quality health care and I think the best solution is to establish a national health care system. Over 45 million Americans have no health insurance today, and millions more have inadequate insurance. Employers who have long provided quality coverage for their employees are cutting back benefits and raising workers' out-of-pocket expenses to deal with the rising cost of health premiums. Most of those who do have health insurance have to rely on their employers to provide it and as a result they have little or no choice about what kind of coverage they will have, and little or no security about whether they will remain insured, should they lose their job.


There is no good reason why our country should not offer its people a universal and comprehensive health care plan. It is a disgrace that our country allows people to go without coverage. Today, more than 30 percent of the money spent on private health care in America is spent on administration and advertising by health insurance companies. That's more than enough to cover the cost of providing insurance to people who don't have coverage now. By contrast, the administrative costs of Medicare--our universal health care system for seniors--comprise only 2 percent of the program's spending.


The current House health care reform legislation would provide Americans with an array of high‐quality private and public health insurance options. Most importantly, if you like the insurance you already have, you can keep it. The bill helps ensure that more Americans will have access to greater choices in doctors and plans by taking away the insurance industry's ability to deny coverage and care because of a pre-existing condition. This legislation builds on what is currently working in the employer‐based system while ensuring that all Americans health needs will be covered by insurance. No one will have to worry about being denied based on a pre-existing condition or being without coverage if their employer drops coverage, or if they lose their job, or change employers.


Currently, middle‐class families pay an enormous “hidden tax” of nearly $1,100 per year to provide care for the uninsured and underinsured. The House proposal will end this tax by containing overall costs and expanding access to affordable care for everyone. Additionally, the House proposal invests in reforms to help prevent the costs of health insurance from overburdening businesses, families and the federal budget.


I have been a committed cosponsor of legislation to create a single-payer health care plan since I took office in 1993. While I ultimately believe a single payer health care system is the best option for our country, I recognize that this goal is not achievable in this current session of Congress. As such, I strongly believe that the final health care reform package, which Congress is expected to approve this year, must include a public plan option that would provide Americans with a choice between health insurance provided through various private companies or through a public plan operated by the government. I, along with many of my House colleagues believe that any comprehensive health care reform legislation that comes before Congress must, at a minimum, include a public plan option that would enable people to buy into a public health insurance program that is on a level playing field with private health insurance plan.


I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts and ideas with me and I'm also very pleased to hear of your support for expanding coverage and reforming our health care system. Making broad strides on health care reform is extremely important to me and I continue to work diligently on this issue.


Thank you again for contacting me. Your comments and concerns are always welcomed. I also encourage you to visit my website, www.house.gov/hinchey, where you can learn about my latest efforts in Congress on your behalf. Best regards.


Sincerely,


Maurice D. Hinchey


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And a little (a long one actually) Keith Olbermann on Sarah Palin and a wide range of things...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Saturday Wordzzle Challenge: Week 75

This is week 75 of the Saturday Wordzzle challenge. Anyone new to the process can refer back here to find out how it works. I had an awful, awful, awful time with this weeks words. I mean awful. Hope the rest of you did better.





The words for this week's ten word challenge were: reluctant, sacrilege, territory, humiliating, master of ceremonies, gesture, dirty deed, crumbling, thaw, token For the mini challenge: official portrait, personal bank account, shoulder bone, unbearable, widow







My 10 word:


It feels like sacrilege to be as reluctant as I am at the moment to do wordzzles this week. I am, after all, the mistress/master of ceremonies, so to speak. This is my territory and it feels humiliating to have my creative energy crumbling away like this. Anyway, this dirty deed, token gesture of 10-word is all I can come up with until my brain and spirit thaw from whatever is troubling me.

My mini:

For Widow Margaret Johansenn the pain of her loss - even after all these months - remained almost unbearable. Today was the unveiling of the official portrait that had been begun just before the accident which killed George and left her with little more than bruises and a broken shoulder bone. Cynics thought she had married him for his personal bank account, but they were wrong. She had loved him with her whole being. Not that she didn't enjoy being rich. Money was nice. But George had been nicer.

And the maxi:

Climbing over crumbling rocks outside his tiny cabin in the Northwest Territory, George Johansenn felt liberated and free in the isolation and beauty of this retreat. While he waited for the Spring thaw, he rested and read and contemplated the radical choice he had made four months earlier. He had reluctantly realized that the life he had been living had become unbearable. The commissioning of an official portrait had been the final straw for him. The burden of his responsiblities had felt overwhelming. Quitting was not an option. It would have been humiliating, a sacrilege to the altar of family honor. So he had decided that he would have to die... or at least seem to die. He had planned his death with great care, leaving a substantial personal bank account and estate for his "widow," whom he deeply loved. He had It was a measure of the depth of his despair that he had been able to leave her behind. The only thing that had gone wrong with his plan was that she too had been injured. Luckily it was only a broken shoulder bone. She would recover, he was sure. He had hated to cause her grief but he knew the life ahead would not suit her and he wanted her to be happy. In token of his love he had sent a puppy for her to love and which he hoped would comfort her in her grief. He had hated hurting her, but it had felt like his only choice. Now he had to put it all behind him. The dirty deed was done, gestures of love made and there was no turning back. He was master of ceremonies for his own future and free of both old burdends and joys.

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Next Week's Ten Word Challenge will be: superlative, flea market, falling leaves, disinformation, who was that masked man?, keeping kids out of trouble, I'm a believer, bonnet in the attic, staff, generation

For the mini challenge: deep in the forest, government, charming, heirlooms, flabbergasted

Thanks for playing. For those who are new, here are some guidelines to make the process more fun.

Enjoy! See you next week.

DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR NAME TO MR. LINKY!!!!!

The Back Yard Giveth

The back yard has been in a very generous mood.... yesterday afternoon we had visits from the following.... of course most of them arrived as the light was fading and hung out too far away for clear shots, but still, it was a pretty awesome day.


Chunky Chuck the wood chuck passed by...

The blue jays, who haven't visited much stopped in...

The was a SCARLET TANAGER!!!!!

I think this is a Cat Bird, though I'm not too sure of that...

And even though you can barely see it, not only did we have a Scarlet Tanager, we had a BALTIMORE ORIOLE... on the same afternoon! Yee haa!

And in the morning Tiny Bunny came close enough to be photographed...

As well as this sweet little guy....

Have a great day! I hope you'll take some time and listen to the video below too.

What You May Not Know About the Insurance Industry

This is a (to me) riveting conversation about the Insurance Industry. Bill Moyers has a conversation with Wendell Potter, former insurance executive. It's very long, but SOOOO worth listening to. If you have trouble with this link you can also listen here.

Colbert's "Word"

Mr. Colbert makes some good points here, I think, especially towards the end.


The Word - Hippie Replacement

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Tasers

Sapphire Tuesday: Bees in My Bonnet

I have the blues... I think sapphires are blue. I guess they come in many colors, but for today they are blue. That's my idea of a joke since I have been storing up photos for Ruby Tuesday for weeks now but I just can't get up the gumption to participate. When I do, be prepared for LOTS of pictures. Not good pictures, just lots of them.

But anyway... I'm struggling right now not to sink into clinical depression. I think some of this is grief, some anxiety about money, my bathroom sink has gone from barely draining to not draing at all, there are some physical problems nagging at me and some ... who knows what makes my brain tick... or fail to tick. In any case, I'm really struggling to make my stipend stretch through the month. Hancock doubled my property taxes (doubled plus, actually). My therapist says I should call and negotiate about that and I know I should but this is where depression and my inherent fear of being yelled at make life a struggle. Our sewer bills here were increased drastically too. And the phone company raised it's rates and my 0% interest card ran out of 0% interest. Anyway, when you are stretching a stipend as small as mine to cover a month, two or three $50/month increases can be (or feel like) a lethal blow. I know I'll work this out, but right now I'm in deer in the headlights mode or maybe traumatized three-year-old. In any case, I'm freaking out. The up side is that it may be braking my grief loose. We'll see. Probably just in time for Dr. Jim's vacation, I'll fall apart.

But there's lots of good things. The renovations are coming. Hopefully I'll get some idea of when by the end of this week or the start of next. And my niece and nephew-in-law-ish are coming for a visit at the end of August. Probably too soon for the changes in the house, but that means they'll just have to come back, right?

There are a bunch of "world" things that are upsetting me. The insane nonsense about Obama's birth certificate is half amusing, half annoying. The psycho woman leading it has come up with a Kenyan birth certificate. It has a few flaws, like Kenya wasn't Kenya yet and the city it says he was born in was in another country, but... What's truly troubling is that people like Lou Dobbs and a pathetic number of Republicans are feeding the fire or at least not trying to put it out. We don't have enough troubles?

Then there's all the lies about health care reform. I personally think the best solution for the nation would be universal coverage. I can accept that people are going to disagree. Where I get cranky is when they tell absurd lies to frighten people. They are spewing nonsense like changes in health care will involve euthanizing old people. Then there are talking points that say small businesses with as few as two employees would be penalized by one provision. I saw a conversation with Dem. Senator Nadler and a Republican whose name I forget. Nadler eventually said - "that would only be true in the unlikely case that you had a business in which both employees earned $150,000 each. The Republican proudly said... "Yes, you see, I'm right." Technically, but the fact is that his so-called "truth" distorts reality. One of the new things they've come up with is that "if you can't run "cash for clunkers," how can you run health care? Cash for clunkers has been such a massive success that they are having to do catch up - and it's a comparison of apples and oranges. There's so much talk about the cost - and that's a serious concern - but I think the reality is that while debt is to be avoided, sometimes it pays for itself over time. And all the people who talk so much about the cost - totally ignore the cost of NOT doing anything. Not doing anything will cost us far more - both financially and in terms of human lives. Not doing anything is part of why the country is in such deep trouble.... that and unnecessary wars and tax breaks for people who didn't need them and didn't trickle them down but put them into golden parachutes instead while they drove the rest of us to the edge of a financial chasm. But I rant...

The other thing that I have wanted to write about and haven't been able to muster the energy to do is the issue of racism which has been raised by the arrest of Professor Gates. There's been a lot of talk about racial profiling and about racism. The thing that bugs me in these discussions is that - pardon the pun, but - we act as though racial feelings and racism were pure "black and white," that you are either a flaming racist or a non bigot. But I think it's so much more complex than that. I know I'm not a racist, but I also know that the undercurrent of racism that I grew up with and the racial myths that live in my subconscious are there even when I know better intellectually. And they are there ever more so for black people because they deeply impact their lives. I think we all (many, most of us) profile in subtle ways without even knowing that we do it. I'm not a racist, but I have grown up in a racist society. I remember wanting to make friends with the black women at one of my jobs in NYC. They didn't want to be my friend... they didn't trust me and to be honest I didn't know how to relate to them. Our lives and language were very different. At other jobs I had good friends who were black. Even there, though, I think there were subtle things that made those friendships different. Anyway, I'm not sure what my point is.... I guess that while we have come a long way as a society, there is still rampant racism. Just listen to Rush Limbaugh or Pat Buchanan or the birther people. Just listen to the way we have discussed the Gates situation in the media. I think Gates behaved badly. But I think Crowly behaved badly too. The "cops have a tough job" excuse is just that. They have chosen that job. The fact that it's difficult, doesn't mean they have a right to abuse their power. Arresting a man for being rude to you in his own house, seems to me to have been poor judgement. I don't understand why he has not apologized... because he AND the professor were both wrong. Or that's what I think. One last word on this. For all the criticism of President Obama's initial response to the question. I think he was right. And hardly THAT insulting.... and prefaced with the fact that the Professor was his friend and that he was not necessarily impartial. The inflamed response to his remarks - which were pretty tame - is a reflection of the racism that still exists, not that he stoked any fires or truly said anything to undermine law enforcement. And it's probably good that we are discussing this, though I wish we would discuss it with depth instead of platitudes and good-guy, bad-guy talk. It amazes me that 24 hour news - they have 24 hours to fill - still manages to be vacant, sensational and with rare exceptions - lacking any true depth.

I was going to rant about something else, but this is already very long and I have worn myself out. I'm not going to read over it. I hope I have made some sense. I think I'm due for another rant about the media one day soon, though. Meanwhile, enjoy the robins. I was going to save them for RT, but...

I watch this mother/father robin still parenting the youngster
with an occasional treat. It's very sweet to watch.

I miss Ruby Tuesday. I will return one of these days.
Hope you all have a wonderful day!

How Cute Can You Be?

This little chipmunk spent some time on my back deck on Saturday morning. What a delight!

Saturday Wordzzle Challenge: Week 74

This is week 74 of the Saturday Wordzzle challenge. Anyone new to the process can refer back here to find out how it works. Thanks again to Carol Pfeiffer (ProArtz) for this week's and next week's words. I have enjoyed the break from coming up with them myself.

The words for this week's ten word challenge were: fair warning, hormones, journalism, philanthropist, burgeoning, running the bulls, saturation, tossed in the towel, whine, indelicate details And for the mini: hard labor, lurid, quick fix, sizable contributions, trumpet

This week's 10-word:

Despite having been given fair warning about the dangers involved in running the bulls, philanthropist George Singlebottom decided to take a break from the burgeoning demands of his daily life and give his excitement deprived macho side (his hormones were raging) a rare chance for exercise. Had he known what was to come he would have quickly tossed in the towel and averted the current catastrophe. He felt embarrassed by his folly, but what bothered him most and made him want to whine like a child was not the pain he was experiencing (bad as it was), but the the saturation coverage - this was journalism? - expounding at length on the most indelicate details of his unfortunate trip and the subsequent encounter with a large bull's horns. There was one positive to it all, though. The beautiful nurse who had tended to him go gently had agreed to marry him. On the whole, he guessed, a little humiliation wasn't such a bad trade-off for that kind of happiness.

The mini:

Max Milikin had been about trumpet to the world that he had avoided not only hard labor but a sizeable contrubution to the local plumber with his clever quick fix when his wife's horrified screams had brought him face to face with a scene of such gross and lurid horror that he knew instantly that not only was his bank account about to see a substantial loss but that perhaps this particular quick fix might just be more than even his good-hearted and devoted wife would be able to forgive. "Maybe I should call a plumber," he mumbled. "Ya think?" she replied rather harshly for someone usually rather sweet. "While you're at it, you had better think of something REALLY, REALLY good to atone for this catastrophe." "Yes dear," he replied. "You know I love you, don't you? I really thought it would work..."

The maxi:

Her hormones gave Maria Shaw fair warming every time Max Montgomery entered the room, that her burgeoning infatuation was not going to go away easily. I mean, there ought to be a law against a man like this, she whined to herself. He was handsome and charming, committed to his career in journalism. Bent on adventure - most recently he had participated in the running of the bulls, an event which repelled her though at the same time his description, a mix of macho participant and compassionat observer had endeared him to her even more. If she could forgive him that, she might as well throw in the towel and just throw herself at him. In general as a writer he was willing to engage in hard labor to tell a true and meaningful story. He wasn't one of those creeps whose stories involved trumpeting people's dirty laundry or exposing the lurid indelicate details of the pain of other peoples lives. He had come to interview her several months ago about her work as a philanthropist. She had expected to dislike him, expected him to be shallow like so many reporters were these days. They had had a wonderful discussion of the media - about the saturation of what information was available in hours of gossip and speculation that actually gleaning information was a bit like finding a needle in a haystack... then - this was his analogy - a drop of chocolate syrup in a glass of milk.... impossible. They had gone on to discuss the sizeable contributions made by insurance cormpanies and other interest groups to politicians and how there was no quick fix for any of these problems that were driving the country rapidly down the drain. Anyway, nothing made her fall in love quicker than a good conversation and the fact that he was handsome and smart just added to it. Miraculously he seemed to like her back, a clear sign in her mind that there must be something truly wrong with him. Luckily for her, he had seen that particular kind of insecurity before and he was not daunted by it. He was in love and she would just have to accept it.

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Thanks again to Pro Artz for the words. These she took at random from a book she was reading.

Next Week's Ten Word Challenge will be: reluctant, sacrilege, territory, humiliating, master of ceremonies, gesture, dirty deed, crumbling, thaw, token

For the mini challenge: official portrait, personal bank account, shoulder bone, unbearable, widow

Thanks for playing. For those who are new, here are some guidelines to make the process more fun.

Enjoy! See you next week.

DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR NAME TO MR. LINKY!!!!!

Well Said, Al Franken

Palin's Farewell Speech Explained

My niece pointed this out to me. I think it's very funny. Palin I think is scary crazy and dishonest, but that's a topic for another post.

Just Some Pictures

I'm an awful blogger right now and an even worse blog friend. Just can't seem to get myself to do anything. But in case anybody is still dropping by, here are some pictures from the back door. Delaware Opportunities came with 10 (ten!) construction guys and walked through the house. They have now made bids and a decision will be made probably by Thursday and then it takes another week to get State approval and then the next steps depend on when whoever gets selected is available. I'm hoping they are available soon, but it will happen when it happens and I try to remind myself that everything happens exactly as it is meant to.

Want to recommend a book to everyone. It's called the Alchemist. My niece Cindy gave me a gift certificate from Amazon.com and I used it to get myself the audio book as numerous people had recommended the book and my eyes have been bothering me a bit and it was on sale and and and... Anyway. BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL book. I highly recommend it.

Here are some pictures...

Saturday Wordzzle Challenge: Week 73

This is week 73 of the Saturday Wordzzle challenge. Anyone new to the process can refer back here to find out how it works. Thanks again to Carol Peiffer (ProArtz) for this week's words... and next week's too! I'm tired today and not feeling up to snuff. I hate everything I wrote.... except manybe the mini - but at least I wrote something. Looking forward to reading what the rest of you have done.



The words for this week's ten word challenge were: riverboat, procrastination, drank, demons, invisible, candle, enough, film stars, summer job, computer For the mini: general demeanor, surprisingly, masked man, reach, standards



My 10-word:


When he drank, Sam Wilson felt less invisible, more like the film stars he so admired and wished to emulate... or at least their characters. His favorite fantasy was riverboat gambler. He loved feeling like Bret Maverick. At present he did his gambling on the computer. Sober he didn't do so well. Drunk, no one could hold a candle to him... or at least he had convinced himself that this was so. Thus far he had made more money than he could have with a summer job and his Maverick persona seemed to make him a real "chick magnet." It was a subtle balancing act, though. He had to consume just enough to set what he thought of as his better angels free but still keep the demons in chains. Unfortunately it didn't always work out that way. More often than not, they broke loose and ran riot. Unfortunately, as is true of so many drunks, he was disinclined to remember those moments, clinging instead to the feelings created by the initial haze of good feeling that drink gave him. If he had overcome his procrastination in balancing his check book, he would have discovered too, both that his big winnings were balanced by equally big losses and that the money spent on alcohol was quickly putting him deep into so far into the red that he would soon find himself wishing very much to be truly and not just psychologically invisible.



The mini:

For a masked man, he exhibited a surprisingly a mild general demeanor. "There are standards of behavior," he was quoted as saying, "even for those of us who reach around borders of the law. I can rob you without being ill mannered."



The maxi:


Riverboat Captain, James Reach felt that nothing could hold a candle to this choice of career. It had started as a summer job on a boat called - for some odd reason - The Masked Man. He had wanted a job working for a computer company but his penchant for procrastination had done him in and hadn't been able to find one. He had reluctantly taken work on the boat and had found that he loved it the adventure and excitement of travelling the river. Although perhaps too many of them drank - gambling and drink tended to go hand in hand - a bit more than they might, the general demeanor of river boat people was surprisingly genial by tourism and travel standards. Few of the people he encountered - even the occasional film stars who appeared on his decks - seemed pursued by the invisible demons and neuroses of other industries and he enjoyed rubbing elbows with people who came from a wide variety of nations and social situations. Today he owned his own boat which he had named The Sure Enough because it sure enough was a good life the river had given him.




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Thanks again to Pro Artz who pulled this week's words from a blog post she liked... Judging from this collection of words, it must have been an interesting read.



Next week's 10 words are: fair warning, hormones, journalism, philanthropist, burgeoning, running the bulls, saturation, tossed in the towel, whine, indelicate details



And for the mini: hard labor, lurid, quick fix, sizable contributions, trumpet

Thanks for playing. For those who are new, here are some guidelines to make the process more fun.

Enjoy! See you next week.

DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR NAME TO MR. LINKY!!!!!