Coffee, bacon, cookies, cake, M&M’s, hugs, and on and on. It is viewed as an acceptable expression of fondness. To say I love you more than coffee can tell me that I uplift you. I love you more than…bacon… well, heck, I don’t know…can probably say what anything else you could inserted after more than. That I love you more than anything else. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Visiting a Physician before and after the New Year always results in non-essential paperwork in my opinion. They want you to update your file. Make sure everything is correct. Okay. But why ask questions about my personal habits and demographic if it doesn’t apply to each and every visit. Is my Doctor going to look at this information and give a care. I don’t think so! They don’t have time. So, why the extra paperwork? (Well, actually, why all the extra computer data entries?)
I needed an antibiotic. A quick in and out. So, the call was made. The person on the phone said, “We are updating your data into our new software program. Could you, please take a moment and answer a few questions?” NO! I was just in for a Physical. “We still need to be sure your information is up to date.” I prefer not too. “You will have to do it at the front desk then when you come for your appointment.” Standing up and answering your questions? I don’t think so. Ok. She started with questions already asked like name, birth date, address. Argh! She preceded with:
“Who is your Emergency contact?” I start given my husbands name and spelling it out as I always have to do…and she says, ‘Wait, let me see if I can copy paste.” Well, why are you asking me? In my younger years, back in the paper days, I worked with patient files and I understand how information is necessary. Even though such information can get transferred and messed up, copy and paste is straight forward. Just do it! Then ask me if my emergency contact is still the same.
Do you drink alcohol?” (Yep, right after answering your redundant questions even if it is only 10:00 am).
“What is your Nationality?” Um, ah, American, born and raised was not excepted. Ok. Can I schedule an appointment now, please. After some back and forth banter I had an appointment.
Note to self…don’t get sick at the end or beginning of the year.
Happy New Year!
Exciting news! Narrated by me, the author, “Our Essence Survives” audiobook is now available at
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One family tradition that many Americans do during the Christmas holiday season is build gingerbread houses together.
Early German settlers brought this lebkuchenhaeusle (gingerbread house) tradition to the Americas.
The Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” made gingerbread houses popular. Published in 1812, it inspired ever more extravagant gingerbread creations.
It is a fun, creative activity that binds fond memories.
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc. It is a performance. Something that needs practice and preparation in order to present it well.
When traveling in Ireland I found myself wondering on elderly travel. How accommodations for elderly lacks everywhere. How travel effects the physically challenged.
One example I can express is a famous tree row located in the country. These trees can be seen from the road. They can be seen from the parking lot. It isn’t the iconic photo view everyone desires. So, you follow the directions and walk down the parking lot away from the trees. The same length it would take to walk directly towards them. (Not that you could…they make that impossible with fences, trees, and blockades). You are directed straight to a coffee shop that has a must purchase policy posted everywhere in order to use the bathroom. (I much rather pay the small coinage fee other countries charge). The path goes back towards the tree row through a peaceful, tranquil forest. It meanders back and forth in a serpentine manner similar to a Disney attraction line. A cemented walkway that triples the length previously walked. Unacceptable for the physically challenged. What seems close will be so deceptively far away!
Sometimes an attraction has bus transportation for a small cost. Great!
NOT! The bus stop has no shade or places to sit and wait. And waiting you must. because they are not prepared for the onslaught of people desiring respite due to the attraction itself involving exertion. Waiting and standing in a line three bus loads long in the hot sun. What if it was raining? There was only one bus! One bus that took three trips before there was room for you. Sad!
Further more, sight seeing tours book back to back to maximize profit. That means if you are not in the first boat of the day you must park a mile or more away. Two plus miles of unnecessary walking for Elderly and physically challenged.
When traveling abroad and physically challenged one must consider being prepared for what seems close but deceptively far away.
What does that get us?
Lately I have been questioning this. There is so many companies, services, and subscriptions asking for more money. Upping the monthly fee. Can we even afford it? They think so.
Eagles are beautiful, brave, tenacious creatures. Egyptians saw them as a sign of overcoming limits and restraints. The eagle is our nation’s symbol of freedom. The eagle only faces danger from humans. Think about that! We are the only threat to eagles. We are the only ones that can steal beauty, pluck bravery, and abolish tenaciousness. Soar high like an eagle and never let them take anything from you!
Katherine Murie Webster