I tried to call Senator Ron Wyden this morning to talk to his staff or leave a phone message but his message box is FULL. I've tried before. I've sent an e-mail. This is a great way to ignore and not listen to what people want to say.
Democrats have a window of opportunity to push for real health care reform and pass single payer health care into law. There are enough votes to push this forward into law, IF all democrats in the House and Senate vote to pass it. Some Democrats are dragging their feet. Senator Ron Wyden is trying to delay this important vote to create change according to the news. Why? Does he have too much money invested in the health care industry? I know he was great friends with Mormon Republican Senator Gordon Smith. Why is he dragging his feet? Why isn't he working hard to support President Obama and help everyone in Oregon without insurance?
Health care reform is desparately needed. I'm one of the millions without health care. Maybe most Democrat leaders have health care and money in the bank but I don't. Maybe they don't feel the urgency. Democrats have the opportunity to make real change in the United States and put people first by giving health care to everyone free.
Senator Ron Wyden, I urgently implore you to vote for single payer health care and that you show leadership in the Senate and push for this needed change.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tithing
Many faithful church goers tithe monthly, giving 10% to their church. My husband and I used to do this for years. Many business leaders on FOX news, FOX business channel, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and MSNBC say that businesses shouldn’t have to pay taxes and that they should be able to keep all their profits. These same business leaders say that single payer health care or free health care for all is wrong. These same people who want to keep all their pennies and never share feel no moral or ethical responsibility for those less fortunate. I’ve had it. This kind of sinful greed is unpardonable.
In Oregon, businesses are complaining about having to pay a tax that is 1/10th of 1% of their profits. Profit means all the loot that they get after all expenses and salaries are paid. This is the gravy. They don’t want to even let loose of 1/10th of 1%. Shameful! They should be paying 10% of their profits and paying another 10% to charity in Oregon.
Mike Huckabee who has a show on FOX on Saturday nights is a Baptist minister and doesn’t believe that there should be free health care. He’s working hard to defeat single-payer health care. He doesn’t believe that business should have to pay taxes. If I were a member of his congregation, I would put zero bucks in the collection plate.
Those in Oregon who say they shouldn’t have to pay 1/10th of 1% and who believe that there shouldn’t be free health care for all, I’d tithe 1/10th of 1% of my extra and if I didn’t have extra, I would give zero buckeroos.
Neil Cavuto who is Catholic, believes that there shouldn’t be single-payer health care and that businesses shouldn’t pay any taxes. If I were a Catholic, I’d put in the collection plate a note that says zero bucks for the church because of the moral example of Neil Cavuto.
If I were President Obama, the moral compass of this nation, I would take a look at all nonprofits that accept money and who find ways to deny they make a profit on paper. I would revoke tax exempt status of most churches and organizations.
It’s so interesting to me how so many church leaders in most churches and synagogues expect the congregations to give, give, give, even though they are having a difficult time. 10% is expected. Yet these same church leaders are not a moral example by crying out for social justice in the United States saying that single-payer health care or free health care should be law and businesses should pay 10% of their profits.
I’ve heard several people in the village where I live talk about times getting hard, like the great depression. Why don’t these business and religious leaders get off their duff and show courage, values, and moral strength by calling for what is needed. We need free health care for all and all businesses should have to pay 10% of their profits in the United States for doing business here.
I’m disillusioned. I don’t see anyone caring about anybody or feeling accountable. I’m disillusioned with churches and synagogues, and businesses who stand for GREED!
In Oregon, businesses are complaining about having to pay a tax that is 1/10th of 1% of their profits. Profit means all the loot that they get after all expenses and salaries are paid. This is the gravy. They don’t want to even let loose of 1/10th of 1%. Shameful! They should be paying 10% of their profits and paying another 10% to charity in Oregon.
Mike Huckabee who has a show on FOX on Saturday nights is a Baptist minister and doesn’t believe that there should be free health care. He’s working hard to defeat single-payer health care. He doesn’t believe that business should have to pay taxes. If I were a member of his congregation, I would put zero bucks in the collection plate.
Those in Oregon who say they shouldn’t have to pay 1/10th of 1% and who believe that there shouldn’t be free health care for all, I’d tithe 1/10th of 1% of my extra and if I didn’t have extra, I would give zero buckeroos.
Neil Cavuto who is Catholic, believes that there shouldn’t be single-payer health care and that businesses shouldn’t pay any taxes. If I were a Catholic, I’d put in the collection plate a note that says zero bucks for the church because of the moral example of Neil Cavuto.
If I were President Obama, the moral compass of this nation, I would take a look at all nonprofits that accept money and who find ways to deny they make a profit on paper. I would revoke tax exempt status of most churches and organizations.
It’s so interesting to me how so many church leaders in most churches and synagogues expect the congregations to give, give, give, even though they are having a difficult time. 10% is expected. Yet these same church leaders are not a moral example by crying out for social justice in the United States saying that single-payer health care or free health care should be law and businesses should pay 10% of their profits.
I’ve heard several people in the village where I live talk about times getting hard, like the great depression. Why don’t these business and religious leaders get off their duff and show courage, values, and moral strength by calling for what is needed. We need free health care for all and all businesses should have to pay 10% of their profits in the United States for doing business here.
I’m disillusioned. I don’t see anyone caring about anybody or feeling accountable. I’m disillusioned with churches and synagogues, and businesses who stand for GREED!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Mike Huckabee
My husband, Leslie, watches Mike Huckabee sometimes on FOX. I walked by the TV last night when he was on. I don’t understand Mike Huckabee. I honestly can’t connect with a minister in the Baptist Church who believes that it is important to grab every penny in business at the expense of millions of people. I know that Baptists believe in Jesus. Would Jesus believe it is okay to take every penny and not care about or feel responsible for those who are less fortunate? Wouldn’t Jesus want everyone to have medical coverage? I think so.
People in business today, even ministers and those who supposedly stand for ethics and values and who go to church, think they have the right to make as much money as possible and it doesn’t matter who they walk over. Isn’t it the ethical thing to do to care about all people in the United States to give them a basic standard of care?
I couldn’t think of attending a church that didn’t care about all God’s children.
The legislature in Oregon has convened and they are proud of the accomplishment that they put taxes on business profits at 1/10th of 1% and they are getting criticized for this low tax. I don’t get it. I think businesses should have to be taxed 10% on all their profits and then have to donate another 10% to charities in Oregon. This is what I would do and recommend, if I were making the decision. Isn’t 80% profit enough? Good grief! Everyone is money grubbing and businesses don’t feel any ethical concern for people who live in Oregon. It’s hard for me to respect anyone who stands for GREED!
People in business today, even ministers and those who supposedly stand for ethics and values and who go to church, think they have the right to make as much money as possible and it doesn’t matter who they walk over. Isn’t it the ethical thing to do to care about all people in the United States to give them a basic standard of care?
I couldn’t think of attending a church that didn’t care about all God’s children.
The legislature in Oregon has convened and they are proud of the accomplishment that they put taxes on business profits at 1/10th of 1% and they are getting criticized for this low tax. I don’t get it. I think businesses should have to be taxed 10% on all their profits and then have to donate another 10% to charities in Oregon. This is what I would do and recommend, if I were making the decision. Isn’t 80% profit enough? Good grief! Everyone is money grubbing and businesses don’t feel any ethical concern for people who live in Oregon. It’s hard for me to respect anyone who stands for GREED!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Single Payer Health Care
Single payer health care has a small window of opportunity of passing into law, if acted on quickly. Complacent Democrats are not going to get the job done.
It's important to contact all Democrats in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate so they will vote for this important health care change for all Americans.
Letters need to be written. Phone calls need to be made. Groups need to create action agendas immediately to make sure that single pay health care is a reality. What groups have the most to gain from making sure we have universal health care? Those who desperately need it, like me. I am calling to action members of the NAACP, the millions without health care, the poor, the homeless, families who use social services, people in prison, people who can't afford their co-payments, all people of color, and people who care about social justice.
Everyone needs to write to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to make sure they vote for single payer health care.
There is enough votes to pass this just with all elected Democrats in both the Senate and House and we don’t even need to have one Republican to vote for it. However, it would be so nice for Republicans to step up and care enough about all the people in the United States to make sure we have health care for all.
Please write and call your Representatives and Senators. Please gather peacefully to make this happen. Our country desperately needs this change. Greed must not continue to harm health care. We must act now to make a difference.
Insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, the American Medical Association, and other companies that profit from illness do not want change or universal health care. They are spending 1.6 million dollars a day to scare people and defeat health care reform.
Please help me. Single payer health care is the health care reform that is needed. It is urgent to act.
It's important to contact all Democrats in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate so they will vote for this important health care change for all Americans.
Letters need to be written. Phone calls need to be made. Groups need to create action agendas immediately to make sure that single pay health care is a reality. What groups have the most to gain from making sure we have universal health care? Those who desperately need it, like me. I am calling to action members of the NAACP, the millions without health care, the poor, the homeless, families who use social services, people in prison, people who can't afford their co-payments, all people of color, and people who care about social justice.
Everyone needs to write to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to make sure they vote for single payer health care.
There is enough votes to pass this just with all elected Democrats in both the Senate and House and we don’t even need to have one Republican to vote for it. However, it would be so nice for Republicans to step up and care enough about all the people in the United States to make sure we have health care for all.
Please write and call your Representatives and Senators. Please gather peacefully to make this happen. Our country desperately needs this change. Greed must not continue to harm health care. We must act now to make a difference.
Insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, the American Medical Association, and other companies that profit from illness do not want change or universal health care. They are spending 1.6 million dollars a day to scare people and defeat health care reform.
Please help me. Single payer health care is the health care reform that is needed. It is urgent to act.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Men in Sheets
When I watch the Senate and House of Representatives on C-Span, sometimes I wonder just how many of these Republican gentlemen wear sheets on weekends. Shouldn’t belonging to a hate group, like the Klan, be grounds for automatic dismissal? Why doesn’t anyone bring this up?
I watched Godfather 3 recently and I was shocked to see ritual in the Catholic Church with men in sheets carrying the crucifix. Just what is this all about?
I watched Godfather 3 recently and I was shocked to see ritual in the Catholic Church with men in sheets carrying the crucifix. Just what is this all about?
Corvallis Manor
My mother in law, Sadelle was brought to Corvallis Manor after being rescued from Marion Estates. Little did we know that the administrator at Corvallis Manor was a former administrator from Marion Estates. Sadelle fell under questionable circumstances 9 times in 6 months. We complained and nobody did anything. We visited often, several times a week for hours at a time in order to make sure she was okay. When you have someone who is elderly in a place like this, you can’t leave them without visiting them often. We finally put her in Heart of the Valley, which was better but not perfect.
Marion Estates
My mother in law, Sadelle stayed at Marion Estates when we lived in Gates. This beautiful resort complex is owned by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When her birthday came up, her blood pressure elevated so she was sent to the hospital and then placed in the nursing home at Marion Estates. I thought it was odd that the staff said we should clear out her room. Why didn’t they expect her to recover and come back? Her money had recently run out and she went on Medicare. She was put on comfort care in the nursing home without knowledge or notification of family. There was nothing seriously wrong with her. Comfort care means withdrawal of food and water and morphine given to kill the pain of dying. When we called her at the nursing home, we wondered why she always said she was thirsty and wanted water. After 4 days, my husband sent me to investigate what was going on. I was told by staff that I was not to feed her. I thought that was odd. I called Jeanine, her daughter in Illinois and my husband. I told my husband that I wasn’t going to leave her. I told him that I would stay with her and that he needed to arrange for me to sleep in a chair by her bed and bring what I needed. I slowly gave her water and sips of juice. Her lips hurt and it was painful for her to even use a straw. She wasn’t in good shape. After 3 days, I asked for her to be lifted in a wheel chair so I could take her outside in the sun for a few minutes. When I was going through the halls, one nurse said, “it’s a miracle.” It’s amazing what a little water and juice will do!
Comfort care is real and family needs to be aware that this can happen to your loved one. Comfort care could be genocide of the elderly in this country. Other dangers lurk in assisted living complexes, like Marion Estates. Money was taken from Sadelle by staff. I suspected that there was sexual abuse during the night shift because of a comment of one of the male aids. Later when she was in Heart of the Valley in Corvallis, an aid was arrested for sexually abusing elderly women on the night shift. Even the best places, the most beautiful resort-like settings have problems and you need to visit every day.
We complained about Marion Estates to the State of Oregon. Did anything happen? No. The complaint was put in the bottom drawer and never saw the light of day. Let’s not do anything to impede the progress of Comfort Care.
My husband called and had Sadelle taken from Marion Estates to Corvallis Manor where she fell 9 times in 6 months. We found out later that the administrator of Corvallis Manor used to work at Marion Estates.
Sadelle wasn’t an easy individual to get along with at times. She was in assisted living complexes in Illinois, and often caused trouble by calling the authorities on staff. One was a Baptist nursing home where she had to listen every day during lunch that Jews killed Jesus. Sadelle was a brilliant Jewish woman who was very independent. I admired her spunk and I thought that at her age, she had the right to be her self and say what she wanted.
I did everything I could to please her when she lived with us but she didn’t want to stay. I put individual servings of things she loved on her own shelf in the refrigerator. She had her own room and her own bathroom. She didn't like my cooking, even my homemade bread. I offered to get a small refrigerator for her room for snacks. I put lots of snacks on the table. I was determined to have her like me. She didn’t. She said that I should leave so I did. I stayed with my daughter and then at a hotel until my husband found her space somewhere. While I was gone, Sadelle called 911 to say she was locked on a mountaintop without food. My husband was there when the investigator from social services came who was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. He saw she had plenty of food, a clean home, and everything she needed. He suggested Marion Estates for Sadelle and you know how that turned out…
During the last part of her stay at Marion Estates, my husband and I lived in Alsea. Just as we moved into town, the nursing home closed up. Interesting…since the one making the decision was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interesting………..
Comfort care is real and family needs to be aware that this can happen to your loved one. Comfort care could be genocide of the elderly in this country. Other dangers lurk in assisted living complexes, like Marion Estates. Money was taken from Sadelle by staff. I suspected that there was sexual abuse during the night shift because of a comment of one of the male aids. Later when she was in Heart of the Valley in Corvallis, an aid was arrested for sexually abusing elderly women on the night shift. Even the best places, the most beautiful resort-like settings have problems and you need to visit every day.
We complained about Marion Estates to the State of Oregon. Did anything happen? No. The complaint was put in the bottom drawer and never saw the light of day. Let’s not do anything to impede the progress of Comfort Care.
My husband called and had Sadelle taken from Marion Estates to Corvallis Manor where she fell 9 times in 6 months. We found out later that the administrator of Corvallis Manor used to work at Marion Estates.
Sadelle wasn’t an easy individual to get along with at times. She was in assisted living complexes in Illinois, and often caused trouble by calling the authorities on staff. One was a Baptist nursing home where she had to listen every day during lunch that Jews killed Jesus. Sadelle was a brilliant Jewish woman who was very independent. I admired her spunk and I thought that at her age, she had the right to be her self and say what she wanted.
I did everything I could to please her when she lived with us but she didn’t want to stay. I put individual servings of things she loved on her own shelf in the refrigerator. She had her own room and her own bathroom. She didn't like my cooking, even my homemade bread. I offered to get a small refrigerator for her room for snacks. I put lots of snacks on the table. I was determined to have her like me. She didn’t. She said that I should leave so I did. I stayed with my daughter and then at a hotel until my husband found her space somewhere. While I was gone, Sadelle called 911 to say she was locked on a mountaintop without food. My husband was there when the investigator from social services came who was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. He saw she had plenty of food, a clean home, and everything she needed. He suggested Marion Estates for Sadelle and you know how that turned out…
During the last part of her stay at Marion Estates, my husband and I lived in Alsea. Just as we moved into town, the nursing home closed up. Interesting…since the one making the decision was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interesting………..
Julie & Julia
The movie Julie & Julia comes out August 7th. This is going to be a money maker and a great film. Written and directed by Nora Ephron—that just about says it all and gives the reason why it’s going to be an amazing film. I love anything by Nora Ephron. She’s right up there with Neil Simon in my book. Meryl Streep is in the movie so you know it’s going to be good. What a combination!
Les Schwab Tires
Yesterday I went into Les Schwab Tires in Corvallis on 3rd Street to have my tires rotated on my Toyota. What great service! The best part is that this service is free. I'm impressed. They have free popcorn and coffee while you wait. I didn't even have a chance to read a chapter in my book and my car was done. They added air to my tires and took great care of my car. I would never go any where else.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Minnesota Senator Al Franken
It was a pleasure to watch Minnesota Senator Al Franken in action today during the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Senator Franken is a strong, brilliant senator who has great courage and who asks the difficult ethical questions. I would expect nothing less. I'm so happy that Senator Franken is in the U.S. Senate and I know he will make a difference to fight for justice for all Americans, even me in Oregon and all Oregonians, for women, for minorities, and for first amendment rights.
My father was born in Minnesota--Winthrop, Minnesota. Both of his parents were born in Sweden. So many of the people in Minnesota have a Swedish heritage.
What do I have in common with Senator Al Franken and Sonia Sotomayor? We all watched Perry Mason every week. We all believe in justice and the law.
My father was born in Minnesota--Winthrop, Minnesota. Both of his parents were born in Sweden. So many of the people in Minnesota have a Swedish heritage.
What do I have in common with Senator Al Franken and Sonia Sotomayor? We all watched Perry Mason every week. We all believe in justice and the law.
MRI
My husband has had a couple of MRI's. I've never had one. After I heard what it is like to experience having an MRI, I don't want one. My husband says it's like putting a tin bucket on your head and someone banging on it with a metal spoon for a prolonged time. That sounds wonderful.
A neighbor told me that MRI's aren't accurate. She said that an MRI wasn't able to show how badly damaged her shoulder was and that it wasn't until the surgeon opened up her shoulder that the extensive damage was revealed.
It sounds like the biomedical engineering students in this country need to come up with a more accurate and a much better MRI. Why isn't there a hand-held scanning devise that can instantly give a printed readout with whatever is wrong with recommendations for treatment and vitamins?
A neighbor told me that MRI's aren't accurate. She said that an MRI wasn't able to show how badly damaged her shoulder was and that it wasn't until the surgeon opened up her shoulder that the extensive damage was revealed.
It sounds like the biomedical engineering students in this country need to come up with a more accurate and a much better MRI. Why isn't there a hand-held scanning devise that can instantly give a printed readout with whatever is wrong with recommendations for treatment and vitamins?
Confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor
I love watching the confirmation hearings of Sonia Sotomayor. She believes in justice. She believes in prevention and excellence in education because by the time someone enters the court system, it is often too late. I agree. She has the Obama calm. She's disciplined and brilliant. She loves the law. I respect her. What a great lady. It makes me regret not going to law school and makes me want to go to law school now. [I can't afford it.] She's inspiring.
When I homeschooled my children for four years, my son, Aaron said he wanted to be an attorney. He was 5 years old at the time. I found some law books at a garage sale and we began to debate Supreme Court law cases. I also bought a text book about debating Supreme Court law cases. My daughter, Gretchen who was around 8 at the time went on later to debate in high school and all across the country at Lewis and Clark College for their debate team. Why don't schools debate Supreme Court law cases? I see in the newspaper praise for debate about foolish topics but debating Supreme Court law cases does so much more to help the students and puts it on a whole different level of education.
When I homeschooled my children for four years, my son, Aaron said he wanted to be an attorney. He was 5 years old at the time. I found some law books at a garage sale and we began to debate Supreme Court law cases. I also bought a text book about debating Supreme Court law cases. My daughter, Gretchen who was around 8 at the time went on later to debate in high school and all across the country at Lewis and Clark College for their debate team. Why don't schools debate Supreme Court law cases? I see in the newspaper praise for debate about foolish topics but debating Supreme Court law cases does so much more to help the students and puts it on a whole different level of education.
Quality of Health Care
I've been watching CNN this morning and heard Senator John McCain say that the problem with health care is cost and that there is no problem with the quality of health care. I respectfully disagree, Senator. This is not my experience at all.
One doctor recently told my husband that most of the health care in the United States is 50 years behind the times and that the drastic difference at John Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic is amazing because they can do in one or two days what it takes 6to 9 months to accomplish elsewhere, if at all. Too many doctors "don't know" answers. One resident recently told me at OHSU that he "doesn't read medical journals." That's great! That makes me feel comfident about his care. A resident who isn't committed to continuing his education and medical knowledge--I'm shocked and appalled. Too many doctors are incompetent and not able to help a patient but still charge an outrageous price. I was shocked that at Casey Eye Institute that the equipment to test the eyes doesn't automatically feed the results into the computers. This is backward. Technicians and doctors must hand enter the information which could cause error. I have had experience with the health care in Oregon at various clinics and hospitals and I KNOW that the care I have received shouldn't have happened to anyone in some instances. I could write a book about my experience with health care over the years and another book about my husband, which would be worse.
One doctor recently told my husband that most of the health care in the United States is 50 years behind the times and that the drastic difference at John Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic is amazing because they can do in one or two days what it takes 6to 9 months to accomplish elsewhere, if at all. Too many doctors "don't know" answers. One resident recently told me at OHSU that he "doesn't read medical journals." That's great! That makes me feel comfident about his care. A resident who isn't committed to continuing his education and medical knowledge--I'm shocked and appalled. Too many doctors are incompetent and not able to help a patient but still charge an outrageous price. I was shocked that at Casey Eye Institute that the equipment to test the eyes doesn't automatically feed the results into the computers. This is backward. Technicians and doctors must hand enter the information which could cause error. I have had experience with the health care in Oregon at various clinics and hospitals and I KNOW that the care I have received shouldn't have happened to anyone in some instances. I could write a book about my experience with health care over the years and another book about my husband, which would be worse.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sotomayor Confirmation
I've been watching this morning on CNN the confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor. She's a wise, brilliant Hispanic woman who will protect women and give a voice to minorities. She will give balance to the U.S. Supreme Court which has historically worked to protect all the interests of rich, old white men who want to dominate all that goes on in the U.S. She's committed to following the law but she will not be blind to justice for women and minorities as judges before her have been. Too many bullies have ruled in the U.S. Senate and hold key power positions in this country. I wonder how many of them wear sheets on weekends? I think that the senators who are grilling Sotomayor are really saying that they don't want her on the court unless she agrees with all they hold dear. Is that really representing all the people in the U.S. by only protecting the rich white men in this country?
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Games Democrats Play
I received an e-mail to have a house party in Alsea to support President Obama’s push for change for health care. I agreed. I wanted a political celebrity for the party to make sure it would be a success. I asked one but this person was busy that night. A leader in the Democratic Party in Portland tried to get a leader to come from Corvallis but Corvallis Democrats are all in meetings that night. Interesting bit of information.
I changed my mind about having a house party and decided to let someone with more resources do it. I don’t have a big house. I don’t have close friends in Alsea. I have acquaintances.
Now let’s get back to Corvallis Democrats who are too busy having meetings to support President Obama for real change in health care….It seems like there are Hillary Democrats and Obama Democrats. Hillary still seems to be running the show. Why? Do Hillary Democrats want to wait for Hillary to get into the White House before they will push for health care reform? Hillary is a little too friendly with Arab nations for my comfort zone, which means not that much change from Bush. I remember when I volunteered to help President Obama get elected. In Corvallis they had the Democratic Party Headquarters where I went to work to elect Senator Jeff Merkley. When I went to volunteer for President Obama, I went to a different location. Why? Why weren’t the mainstream Corvallis Democrats working hard for Obama? Was it because they are Hillary Democrats? Obama's name was on the script that you read over the phone,sometimes, but the main push was to elect Merkeley at Democratic Party Headquarters. Sometimes, President Obama's name wasn't on the script. I didn’t see the mainstream Democratic party volunteers at Obama headquarters any time that I volunteered. Most of the phones weren’t hooked up at Obama headquarters. Students from Oregon State University was heading the big push for Obama but not mainstream, older Corvallis Democratics who I was familiar seeing in the Benton County Democratic Party. Why? When I was volunteering for President Obama and saw a Merkley volunteer, the Merkley volunteer referred to Democratic Party Headquarters as Merkley headquarters and said I should come over and volunteer. Yes, I did because I didn't want to see Senator Smith reelected. I volunteered in both buildings.
What we have is NOW! Games have to stop. We need real change now to help those suffering and who need change. We have President Obama who is superior to other candidates who ran for President and is pushing for change. Democrats have to quit playing games, get off their duffs, and start supporting his policies. Democrats need to support President Obama--ALL Democrats and quit playing games. We have a chance for real change in health care. We can't take more greed. Either people matter or they don't and you want to protect the failed policies of the past. I think that the rich Democrats who have a hint of Republican color just don't want to see that much change. They want to see the way of life continue where you can skim off the top, inflate prices, and keep the poor from ever achieving their dreams. We have enough votes to get change in the health care system, IF Democrats start working together. THE TIME IS NOW.
I changed my mind about having a house party and decided to let someone with more resources do it. I don’t have a big house. I don’t have close friends in Alsea. I have acquaintances.
Now let’s get back to Corvallis Democrats who are too busy having meetings to support President Obama for real change in health care….It seems like there are Hillary Democrats and Obama Democrats. Hillary still seems to be running the show. Why? Do Hillary Democrats want to wait for Hillary to get into the White House before they will push for health care reform? Hillary is a little too friendly with Arab nations for my comfort zone, which means not that much change from Bush. I remember when I volunteered to help President Obama get elected. In Corvallis they had the Democratic Party Headquarters where I went to work to elect Senator Jeff Merkley. When I went to volunteer for President Obama, I went to a different location. Why? Why weren’t the mainstream Corvallis Democrats working hard for Obama? Was it because they are Hillary Democrats? Obama's name was on the script that you read over the phone,sometimes, but the main push was to elect Merkeley at Democratic Party Headquarters. Sometimes, President Obama's name wasn't on the script. I didn’t see the mainstream Democratic party volunteers at Obama headquarters any time that I volunteered. Most of the phones weren’t hooked up at Obama headquarters. Students from Oregon State University was heading the big push for Obama but not mainstream, older Corvallis Democratics who I was familiar seeing in the Benton County Democratic Party. Why? When I was volunteering for President Obama and saw a Merkley volunteer, the Merkley volunteer referred to Democratic Party Headquarters as Merkley headquarters and said I should come over and volunteer. Yes, I did because I didn't want to see Senator Smith reelected. I volunteered in both buildings.
What we have is NOW! Games have to stop. We need real change now to help those suffering and who need change. We have President Obama who is superior to other candidates who ran for President and is pushing for change. Democrats have to quit playing games, get off their duffs, and start supporting his policies. Democrats need to support President Obama--ALL Democrats and quit playing games. We have a chance for real change in health care. We can't take more greed. Either people matter or they don't and you want to protect the failed policies of the past. I think that the rich Democrats who have a hint of Republican color just don't want to see that much change. They want to see the way of life continue where you can skim off the top, inflate prices, and keep the poor from ever achieving their dreams. We have enough votes to get change in the health care system, IF Democrats start working together. THE TIME IS NOW.
Sarah Palin
I’m shocked that Sarah Palin quit. This decision is political suicide to some, but politicians have recovered from worse. It isn’t good that she doesn’t have the backbone and strength to stand up to criticism and the heat that comes with a political office so it isn’t likely that she will run for a bid for the Presidency when she can’t take being Governor of Alaska.
I wonder what she will do. Go on a book tour no doubt. I wrote a several page letter to encourage Sarah Palin, even though I would never vote for her. I like to encourage people. She’s a strong woman and she’s smart. Since I believe there should always be a check and balance system and plenty of healthy debate, I wanted to encourage her. I asked her for a signed photo but I never heard back from her. That wasn’t nice.
I wonder what she will do. Go on a book tour no doubt. I wrote a several page letter to encourage Sarah Palin, even though I would never vote for her. I like to encourage people. She’s a strong woman and she’s smart. Since I believe there should always be a check and balance system and plenty of healthy debate, I wanted to encourage her. I asked her for a signed photo but I never heard back from her. That wasn’t nice.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Alsea Valley Voice
I finished the Alsea Valley Voice on Sunday despite computer problems. I gave it to Mimi Stout, President of Alsea Community Effort to print on Monday morning and she started the process so it should be out today. I hope everyone likes it. I will do my best every issue. It is my intention to cover all groups and give a voice to all who live in the Alsea Valley area. I want to encourage more writers to write. All opinions and voices should have a home in the Alsea Valley Voice. It is everyone's newspaper.
I'm having fun working on the Alsea Valley Voice as the Editor.
The Alsea Valley Voice is given out free to everyone who lives in the Alsea Valley area. If you live out of the area and want to subscribe for $7 a year, write to Alsea Community Effort, 19192 Alsea Valley Highway, Alsea, Oregon 97324. If you want to encourage our efforts, please advertise.
I want to make the paper bigger. If you do subscribe or advertise, please drop me a note at Wendy Haber, PO Box 288, Alsea, Oregon 97324-0288. I'll be happy for your support of the Alsea Valley Voice.
I'm having fun working on the Alsea Valley Voice as the Editor.
The Alsea Valley Voice is given out free to everyone who lives in the Alsea Valley area. If you live out of the area and want to subscribe for $7 a year, write to Alsea Community Effort, 19192 Alsea Valley Highway, Alsea, Oregon 97324. If you want to encourage our efforts, please advertise.
I want to make the paper bigger. If you do subscribe or advertise, please drop me a note at Wendy Haber, PO Box 288, Alsea, Oregon 97324-0288. I'll be happy for your support of the Alsea Valley Voice.
Women
I am reading ANGELS AND DEMONS by Dan Brown and I find the lines about women very troubling in Chapter 18, “In his country women were possessions. Weak. Tools of pleasure. Chattel to be traded like livestock. And they understood their place….he could end her life in an instant. What would it matter? She was subhuman, a vehicle only of pleasure and service.” These are words taken literally in some cultures, in some countries. Sad but true.
Women are not treated with respect or as equals, but as possessions to control. Even in this country, by some religions, women are treated this way by men. It may be more subtle, not as overt but it is still there. Evidence is that in 2009 in the United States of America, there is still not an equal rights amendment for women in the U.S. Constitution. We live at a time when men can pick women out of a catalog and because these women come from difficult circumstances, they are grateful. How sad.
No one can truly be free and rise up to their full potential until this ends. All people must be free, respected, and have the opportunity to bloom.
Women are not treated with respect or as equals, but as possessions to control. Even in this country, by some religions, women are treated this way by men. It may be more subtle, not as overt but it is still there. Evidence is that in 2009 in the United States of America, there is still not an equal rights amendment for women in the U.S. Constitution. We live at a time when men can pick women out of a catalog and because these women come from difficult circumstances, they are grateful. How sad.
No one can truly be free and rise up to their full potential until this ends. All people must be free, respected, and have the opportunity to bloom.
C-Span
I want to know why when I turn onto C-Span to watch the House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate that almost all the seats are empty. We elect politicians from each state to work hard to represent the interests of our state and they are almost never there. Why? It seems like the most consistent state showing up in the chamber is Ohio. I almost always see a senator or representative from Ohio. It looks like Ohio is active and trying to do their job. Where are the other guys and gals who have been elected to work hard to represent their state? There sure is a lot of work to do that needs to be done. Why aren't they there to debate issues?
Albuterol
Albuterol is an inhaler that people use that have respiratory problems. It is inexpensive and has been used successfully for years by those who depend on it and need it. Now the use of albuterol has been banned. No one can buy it anymore because all of a sudden it destroys the ozone layer. Give me a break! Let's not go after big business and polluting industry but let's go after the guy who has trouble breathing and get rid of a group of people at the same time. This is genocide legislation!
My husband is using albuterol. He has one left when this is gone, he will have to pay almost 400 bucks that we can't afford to buy an inferior product that doesn't work as well. Let's make sure that the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture less effective choices have a chance to make money. Let's not be fair and decent and honorable. Let's not show compassion.
My husband is using albuterol. He has one left when this is gone, he will have to pay almost 400 bucks that we can't afford to buy an inferior product that doesn't work as well. Let's make sure that the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture less effective choices have a chance to make money. Let's not be fair and decent and honorable. Let's not show compassion.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
My Garden
I love my yard and my garden. I'm grateful for the space to grow my own food. Yesterday I picked Swiss chard and spinach that I cooked with a fillet of halibut and corn on the cob for my husband and I for dinner. I cooked the Swiss chard and spinach in olive oil with broken walnut pieces and dried cranberries. It was so good and it was a perfect meal, in my opinion. I'll be glad when I have ripe, fresh tomatoes.
Joel Osteen
I love watching Joel Osteen. I have subscribed to his show on TiVo and I keep most of them to watch over and over. I have been watching every week for over nine months. Right now I am watching for the second time in a row this morning the show broadcasted from Houston. His messages are positive and inspirational. He smiles, when most ministers look so serious and grim that it looks like what they are doing is the last thing on earth that they want to be doing, as if it is a millstone around their neck. I think Joel Osteen should be training ministers all over the world because his messages reach people and draw people in. He should start the Joel Osteen Franchise Ministery. He either has to do this or he needs to clone himself so he can go into every community around the world. I like him and I feel better after listening to him.
You're great Joel! The world needs you. I know I do.
You're great Joel! The world needs you. I know I do.
Merlin
Merlin is a new series on NBC. It comes on Sunday nights. I've enjoyed watching it and look forward to more and more. It's well done and worth watching.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
$5 Jeans
On June 12th, Leslie had a doctor’s appointment in Salem so I drove. We were early so we walked around the Salem downtown mall for fun. I saw a going-out-of-business sale at Lane Bryant. I was sorry to see Lane Bryant close the downtown Salem store but I was interested in looking at bargains. I love bargain shopping. I found $5 jeans. I bought three because three $5 jeans were cheaper than buying one pair of jeans at regular price. I haven’t bought jeans in years except for Chic Jeans and now Chic Jeans don’t come in my size. These jeans were in a size big enough for me. Such a deal! I love them. The only problem is that I’m starting to lose weight, just at a time when I have three pairs of great jeans that fit me.
The Evening Star
Yesterday I watched a great movie with Shirley MacLaine. I love Shirley MacLaine. I’ve never seen this film. It has such great lines with great characters and layers of emotions in the network of relationships. Aurora Greenway lived, loved, and when she died, she was surrounded by people who loved her.
Cause No Harm
Sometimes bullies rule and courage is needed to stand up to them. Cause no harm is a philosophy of many but it is not the philosophy of Wade Haslam and Lars Olsen, both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have caused harm to me. Are they sorry? Why? Is it because I question and because I want to know the truth?
Maybe the truth lies in a comment made to my husband by an x-Navy man who lived in Gates, Oregon. It was the first time I had heard the word mafia linked to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and used in the same sentence.
I know Wade Haslam believes in control. He told my husband to shut me up and control me. Leslie told him, “Why? She’s right.”
Do I have a right to stand up for myself? Yes, I believe I do.
Maybe the truth lies in a comment made to my husband by an x-Navy man who lived in Gates, Oregon. It was the first time I had heard the word mafia linked to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and used in the same sentence.
I know Wade Haslam believes in control. He told my husband to shut me up and control me. Leslie told him, “Why? She’s right.”
Do I have a right to stand up for myself? Yes, I believe I do.
My Teeth
My teeth are in bad shape. Periodically, I have to gargle with a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide because of inflamed gums.
My last trip to the dentist was to see Dr. Mark Henke in Corvallis who is in the same building with Wade Haslam, an orthodontist. I asked Dr. Henke about fixing my front tooth and he said he wouldn’t. His assistant was shocked that he wouldn’t help me. Why wouldn’t he help me? We paid him hundreds of dollars in payments. I asked him to pull a tooth that gave me constant pain and headaches. I told him about the pain at each visit and finally I threatened to have my husband pull it with pliers at home so he pulled it. As he looked at the extracted tooth, he commented to the nurse, “See how it calcified.” I asked to take the tooth home. Attached to the tooth was what looked like a computer chip covered in a white substance. Dr. Henke said my tooth had a deep crack all the way through so it was no wonder that it gave me constant pain. Couldn’t he see this with the repeated x-rays of this tooth at every visit?
What was going on that I wasn’t told? I know that Oregon State University and Hewlett Packard in Corvallis are centers of nanotechnology. Was I an experiment?
My last trip to the dentist was to see Dr. Mark Henke in Corvallis who is in the same building with Wade Haslam, an orthodontist. I asked Dr. Henke about fixing my front tooth and he said he wouldn’t. His assistant was shocked that he wouldn’t help me. Why wouldn’t he help me? We paid him hundreds of dollars in payments. I asked him to pull a tooth that gave me constant pain and headaches. I told him about the pain at each visit and finally I threatened to have my husband pull it with pliers at home so he pulled it. As he looked at the extracted tooth, he commented to the nurse, “See how it calcified.” I asked to take the tooth home. Attached to the tooth was what looked like a computer chip covered in a white substance. Dr. Henke said my tooth had a deep crack all the way through so it was no wonder that it gave me constant pain. Couldn’t he see this with the repeated x-rays of this tooth at every visit?
What was going on that I wasn’t told? I know that Oregon State University and Hewlett Packard in Corvallis are centers of nanotechnology. Was I an experiment?
Crime
I got up this morning to watch the latest episode of Harper’s Island. John Wakefield is killing everyone on the island. It turned my attention to crime. In almost every large city in the United States there is violent crime. I recently read in Portland Monthly that in downtown Portland, the violent crimes are around 246 per year. I love downtown Portland and it should be protected. It has the Zoo, OMSI, the Portland Art Museum, and Broadway plays. Law abiding citizens are at the mercy of criminals at the time that law enforcement budgets are cut. I’ve learned from television that you can’t walk in Central Park in NYC at night because of criminals.
In September, 1993, Leslie and I visited China on a 17 day tour with Ocean Pacific. We walked on the Great Wall. In June, 1993, I had a bout with breast cancer and Leslie made the decision to start traveling. Life is short and he figured that it is far better to travel while you can, instead of waiting until you are stuck in a wheel chair. Money from a law suit made it possible.
In one of the large cities, our tour bus stopped at a large intersection. All traffic stopped. Several large flatbed trucks went by. On the back were prisoners dressed in white who were blindfolded and their hands tied behind their back. Three gunmen were surrounding each criminal. We asked on the tour bus what was happening. We were told that the criminals were taken to the edge of the city to be shot and their family would be charged for the bullet. No trial with a jury.
In the center of a different city, we were able to stop at a street market at night in safety. We were told that you walk without fear in China because law abiding citizens are safe. Now China is a major power. The intelligent, hard-working Chinese are protected and flourish.
I believe that it is important to protect the legal rights of the individual but it isn’t okay to allow those who commit violent crime to harass law abiding citizens and repeat these crimes.
In September, 1993, Leslie and I visited China on a 17 day tour with Ocean Pacific. We walked on the Great Wall. In June, 1993, I had a bout with breast cancer and Leslie made the decision to start traveling. Life is short and he figured that it is far better to travel while you can, instead of waiting until you are stuck in a wheel chair. Money from a law suit made it possible.
In one of the large cities, our tour bus stopped at a large intersection. All traffic stopped. Several large flatbed trucks went by. On the back were prisoners dressed in white who were blindfolded and their hands tied behind their back. Three gunmen were surrounding each criminal. We asked on the tour bus what was happening. We were told that the criminals were taken to the edge of the city to be shot and their family would be charged for the bullet. No trial with a jury.
In the center of a different city, we were able to stop at a street market at night in safety. We were told that you walk without fear in China because law abiding citizens are safe. Now China is a major power. The intelligent, hard-working Chinese are protected and flourish.
I believe that it is important to protect the legal rights of the individual but it isn’t okay to allow those who commit violent crime to harass law abiding citizens and repeat these crimes.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Timberhill Athletic Club
I went to Timberhill Athletic Club yesterday. I don't have medical insurance. Instead of paying for medical insurance, I pay for prevention. I think that the money is much better spent on prevention and healthy choices than on insurance that you may not use, especially when I can't afford the several hundred dollars a month or more that it would cost for insurance.
I was in the deep end of the pool for an hour putzing around and on the elliptical runner for an hour. Then I went into the room with the weight machines and went around three times on seven machines. Pretty good for a fat girl.
When you go to Timberhill Athletic Club you are spoiled rotten with all the great athletic equipment, variety of choices, great classes almost every hour in several classrooms, all the pools, the sauna, the steamroom, and hot tubs. It's the best money spent in a month for me, as far as I am concerned. It's almost like heaven being there. It's kind of strange that I should really enjoy exercising but I do. I don't go to socialize. I go to exercise and take care of myself. I'm being selfish when I walk through the door. I love it there. I wish I lived within walking distance so that I could go there every day. It's essential in my life and if people really valued their health, everyone in the Corvallis area would be members and go often. It's the best place for the money in the area. It's huge and spacious.
I was in the deep end of the pool for an hour putzing around and on the elliptical runner for an hour. Then I went into the room with the weight machines and went around three times on seven machines. Pretty good for a fat girl.
When you go to Timberhill Athletic Club you are spoiled rotten with all the great athletic equipment, variety of choices, great classes almost every hour in several classrooms, all the pools, the sauna, the steamroom, and hot tubs. It's the best money spent in a month for me, as far as I am concerned. It's almost like heaven being there. It's kind of strange that I should really enjoy exercising but I do. I don't go to socialize. I go to exercise and take care of myself. I'm being selfish when I walk through the door. I love it there. I wish I lived within walking distance so that I could go there every day. It's essential in my life and if people really valued their health, everyone in the Corvallis area would be members and go often. It's the best place for the money in the area. It's huge and spacious.
Consumer Beware!
Boy, did I get a consumer lesson yesterday when I went to the Safeway on Philomath Boulevard in Corvallis. My husband wanted me to get some Oscar Mayer hot dogs that were on sale in the Safeway ad listed for 2 for $3.00. The ad said assorted varieties. My husband, Leslie, also cut out a coupon that would give me $1.00 off, if I bought two packages of Oscar Mayer hot dogs. I also had a 50 cent double coupon so I was expecting to pay $1.50 for both packages of hot dogs. So I went to try to find the hot dogs in the massive store. I found the signs that said 2 for $3.00 for Oscar Mayer hot dogs. One said bun length and beef hot dogs so that is what I selected. That is all I purchased in the store. I decided to go to the check stand with the store manager since I figured with all the coupons, I didn't want any problems. I figured he would know what he was doing. I know him on sight since I have applied to work at Safeway without success when the store was remodeled and I gave him my resume personally and talked to him. When I got to the checkstand and the manager waited on me, I was shocked at the interaction. He's a tall man, a big guy who probably played football years ago. He has dark wavy, curly hair and I think his name is Jeff or Jeffrey. He scanned the hotdogs and said it was 2 for $6.00. I gave him my Safeway club card, my coupons, and said that it was 2 for $3.00. He left the cash register and said he was going to check on the price. I figured that was fine and I waited. He came back sticking to his story that the hotdogs were 2 for $6 so I said that we need to go back and look at the signage. I commented that maybe I needed to take a digital photo of the price on the shelf next time. I was treated like I had lied. He didn't treat me with respect. He's treated me like this in the past so I decided to stand up for myself. We got to the hotdog section and he pointed to the 2 for $6.00 sign for Oscar Mayer hot dogs and I pointed to the two signs that said 2 for $3.00 for Oscar Mayer hot dogs. He said it wasn't bun length so I pointed to the sign that said bun length and repeated bun length twice so he would get it into his thick skull. He took the sign off the shelf and said he would give it to me for the price but it wasn't going to happen again. He raced back to the cash register and it was hard for me to keep up. I said that I wasn't a liar and that I'm meticulous and careful. When we got back to the cash register, he said that for my trouble, he would give it to me free since I had already given him a coupon for $1.50 off. I thought that was great and I appreciated it. I was thinking of blogging it yesterday but decided not to. Today I found the cash register receipt in my purse where it said that the cash register rang it up in the first place as 2 for $3.00 so now I know he knew the price was 2 for $3.00. You have to watch all the time. He's probably a Mormon. Am I going into this Safeway again? Not if I can help it and I will be on guard every minute, if I do. If the price is posted and listed in an ad, you should be able to get it for the price without problems.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
My Garden
I have big plans for my garden and yard. It will take time, money, an endless supply of manure hay and compost. I've been having fun sculpting the blank canvas that is my yard and garden putting an azalea here and a dianthus there to add color and texture. My main concern is putting in raised beds to grow our own food and to add fruit and nut trees. I want to add lots of blueberry bushes.
I love my new raised beds. I have seven so far and I appreciate all that my husband has done to help me make it happen even though he hasn't felt great this year. I want to add a lot more. One or two a month, if possible. I have found that I can add supports on the sides to cover with plastic so I can create mini greenhouses during the winter. Oh the possibilities.........the color, all the food, all the fun.
I love my new raised beds. I have seven so far and I appreciate all that my husband has done to help me make it happen even though he hasn't felt great this year. I want to add a lot more. One or two a month, if possible. I have found that I can add supports on the sides to cover with plastic so I can create mini greenhouses during the winter. Oh the possibilities.........the color, all the food, all the fun.
Protect Women and Children
Women and children all over the world need protection and legal rights. Here it is 2009 and women still don't have equal rights in the U.S. Constitution.
Children aren't protected. Creepy men who abuse children have more rights and nothing is done to stop it. Most cases aren't brought to court and a slap on the hand is what most abusers get.
Many women around the world are not allowed to dream and have a better life. Many women throughout the world are expected to shut up, obey without question, and do as they are told. They are expected to succumb to whatever is expected. This has been going on for centuries. When is this going to stop?
Women and children need full legal protection.
Children aren't protected. Creepy men who abuse children have more rights and nothing is done to stop it. Most cases aren't brought to court and a slap on the hand is what most abusers get.
Many women around the world are not allowed to dream and have a better life. Many women throughout the world are expected to shut up, obey without question, and do as they are told. They are expected to succumb to whatever is expected. This has been going on for centuries. When is this going to stop?
Women and children need full legal protection.
Al Franken
I received a phone call yesterday by an arm of the National Democratic Party concerned with control of Congress in the next 10 years and gerrymandering by the Republican Party. To that I say....not only don't I have any extra money but what about Al Franken in Minnesota. Why aren't Democrats working to get Al Franken seated?
Why are Republicans allowed to keep this going in the courts without resolution? For heavens sakes, it's June! Is it because he has a strong voice and would make a difference? Is it because he is competent and smart? Is it because he just might change things?
We need the strong voice of Al Franken in Congress.
I was watching a Republican being interviewed on television who made the statement that you don't need an IQ test to become a member of Congress. I think there are a lot of people who shouldn't be in Congress, who take money for votes, and who don't have the brains to solve problems to make our country better.
Maybe there needs to be criteria for a seat in Congress--education, problem-solving skills, negotiation experience, proof that they can't be bought, etc.
Why are Republicans allowed to keep this going in the courts without resolution? For heavens sakes, it's June! Is it because he has a strong voice and would make a difference? Is it because he is competent and smart? Is it because he just might change things?
We need the strong voice of Al Franken in Congress.
I was watching a Republican being interviewed on television who made the statement that you don't need an IQ test to become a member of Congress. I think there are a lot of people who shouldn't be in Congress, who take money for votes, and who don't have the brains to solve problems to make our country better.
Maybe there needs to be criteria for a seat in Congress--education, problem-solving skills, negotiation experience, proof that they can't be bought, etc.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Alsea Valley Voice
I volunteered to be the Editor of the Alsea Valley Voice since Rolfe Hagen is busy with other projects. I've written several newsletters in the past and I figured that this would be a way to contribute to the community and be more involved. I've been receiving mixed signals. I was told to go the ACE Board meeting and show them my writing resume and newsletters I've written so I did. When I got to the meeting, they wanted to know why I was there. I asked for five minutes to present. I showed them a notebook of two years of newsletters that I have written for the Mid-Valley Quilt Guild in Salem using Microsoft Publisher and a church newsletter along with issues of the East Salem News. I handed out my writing resume. I was told I couldn't change the integrity of the design of the newsletter. I was told that I was not allowed to have youth on staff to report. I was told that I am not allowed to report on the news in Alsea. I was told that I am not allowed to interview people for the AVV. Nothing like squeezing all the fun out of a project. Nothing can change for now. We can't go to a monthly issue. Now I wish I hadn't volunteered. I'll need to photocopy the last issue in order to cut it apart to scan in the masthead and advertising bites. Yes, I can do it but it is not with the same level of enthusiasm. I haven't received one article yet from anyone and the deadline is July 1. My husband said maybe I will have to leave space saying, "this is the space for the article that _____ didn't turn in." We'll see what happens. I did receive an e-mail from one regular writer who said she didn't have anything to write about for this issue even though July is going to be a busy month in Alsea and there might be a Blackberry Festival in September. I think some people around here in Alsea wishes I would move or fade into the woodwork never to be heard from again. One neighbor told me yesterday that maybe I would like it in New Zealand. I like to help out. I like to be involved. I enjoy being around people. I don't really enjoy lots of walls put up to prevent growth. The last newsletter I wrote was for the Corvallis Cruisers in Corvallis, the Volkswalk group. That was fun. I enjoy putting together newsletters but it is fun to have some kind of room to breathe and grow. Maybe I'm not the right person to be the Editor of the Alsea Valley Voice. There needs to be someone who will make sure nothing changes and that everyone will enjoy having as Editor.
Highway 20 Writing Group
I now belong to a new writing critique group with three other women. They are all serious writers and the emphasis is on publication. I feel lucky to be part of the group. One is a retired university professor who is writing a science suspense novel, another is writing humorous memoir, and the third is a former school psychologist who has published two beautiful children's science books in the past and is working on a middle-grade novel. These women are all smart and I can learn from all of them.
Rite Aid
I have Rite Aid to thank for some of the great plants in my yard and garden that I bought at great prices. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I saw that healthy rhododendrons and azaleas were only $5.99 regular price at the 9th Street location in Corvallis a few weeks ago. I bought several and put them around my yard. I will enjoy the beauty for years to come. On Tuesdays with your Rite Aid card, you can even get a discount on some items. I love their plant nursery.
East Salem News
I recently printed out pages of the East Salem News, a publication I started in Salem, Oregon years ago. It was fun to look with pride over the work that was done showcasing people doing amazing things, smart kids, and events in East Salem. It was a cut and paste tabloid that was given out free. We lived on Crown Court in East Salem at the time and kids in the neighborhood were on staff working with my own kids. We literally typed columns of print and pasted it in place to be printed at Eagle Web Press. I read one letter that I had long forgotten. It was by a professor from the University of Oregon who congratulated our efforts. I am proud of what was accomplished and the work that went into the paper. It was a no frills way to get out the news in the cheapest possible way before self publishing newsletter programs on computers.
Oprah
I recently watched the heartbreaking special on tent cities with Lisa Ling on Oprah. I've always liked Lisa Ling and admire her work. She showed the sadness and heartbreak of people who had a home and a job last year who now live in tent cities across the country and are homeless. It's outrageous that we send money to care for people in other countries and not care about our people first.
It's not okay for children to be homeless. It's not okay for anyone to be without adequate shelter and food. It's not okay for anyone to be without health care. We need to invest in the potential of people. We need to make a university education free to anyone willing to do the work and who wants to learn. I'd love to go back to school. I have my bachelors degree but I want to get my MFA in writing. Sometimes I regret not going to law school. It would be fun to go to law school and become an advocate for the people without a voice and who feel powerless.
I switch to another channel and I hear Republicans that want to go back to the way things were so they can steal more money and dig an even deeper economic hole. I shake my head and sigh. Has everyone forgotten the last nine months of devastation? Just because President Obama has started to turn things around doesn't mean we can go back to the way things were. Change is needed. Permanent change to prevent further problems. Social security needs to be protected. The elderly and children need to be protected. The standards of education must be lifted up to compete with the best education you can receive anywhere in the world. People must be held accountable. Businesses must be held accountable and not allowed to charge a zillion times the price of a product just to take advantage and pad their bank account. Just because they have gotten away with it in the past, doesn't mean it's okay. It's not okay. The quality of life in our country must be raised and protected. We need to invest in people. We need to make sure that preventions are in place and secure so that everyone has a chance to dream and have a better life. No one should worry about being homeless or going hungry. No one should worry about health care or illness.
Oprah is a shining star on television who has the courage to make a difference and speak out on issues important to all of us and to help people. She has sacrificed so much to be a great leader. I admire her and love her.
It's not okay for children to be homeless. It's not okay for anyone to be without adequate shelter and food. It's not okay for anyone to be without health care. We need to invest in the potential of people. We need to make a university education free to anyone willing to do the work and who wants to learn. I'd love to go back to school. I have my bachelors degree but I want to get my MFA in writing. Sometimes I regret not going to law school. It would be fun to go to law school and become an advocate for the people without a voice and who feel powerless.
I switch to another channel and I hear Republicans that want to go back to the way things were so they can steal more money and dig an even deeper economic hole. I shake my head and sigh. Has everyone forgotten the last nine months of devastation? Just because President Obama has started to turn things around doesn't mean we can go back to the way things were. Change is needed. Permanent change to prevent further problems. Social security needs to be protected. The elderly and children need to be protected. The standards of education must be lifted up to compete with the best education you can receive anywhere in the world. People must be held accountable. Businesses must be held accountable and not allowed to charge a zillion times the price of a product just to take advantage and pad their bank account. Just because they have gotten away with it in the past, doesn't mean it's okay. It's not okay. The quality of life in our country must be raised and protected. We need to invest in people. We need to make sure that preventions are in place and secure so that everyone has a chance to dream and have a better life. No one should worry about being homeless or going hungry. No one should worry about health care or illness.
Oprah is a shining star on television who has the courage to make a difference and speak out on issues important to all of us and to help people. She has sacrificed so much to be a great leader. I admire her and love her.
Jane Yolen
I recently purchased at the Alsea Library a copy of Wizard's Hall by Jane Yolen for 25 cents. I've always respected and admired the great writing of Jane Yolen who has written over 100 children's books. She's won numerous writing awards. I've never seen Wizard's Hall or read it. I was shocked at the cover and was astounded after reading the first few pages to see a similiarity between J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and the Wizard's Hall. So I quickly look up the publishing date to see which book date came first. Wizard's Hall was published in 1991. The first Harry Potter book was published in 1997.
Pick up a copy of Wizard's Hall and see what you think. I think it's the pre-Harry Potter book.
Pick up a copy of Wizard's Hall and see what you think. I think it's the pre-Harry Potter book.
Libby, Montana
Libby, Montana has been in the news. I was born in Libby on February 25, 1948. I lived there until the end of my third grade year and then we moved to Salem, Oregon where I have lived for most of my life.
Libby has been declared a federal emergency asbestos disaster area. I remember playing in the sparkling stuff that glittered in the sun as I threw it up in the air. My mother used it for crafts because it sparkled.
I've heard since moving to Alsea that Libby was called the Valley of Death by Native Americans.
People are dying in Libby after being exposed over the years. It's not the best place to locate a resort or spa. However, it is beautiful with spectacular scenery.
Libby has been declared a federal emergency asbestos disaster area. I remember playing in the sparkling stuff that glittered in the sun as I threw it up in the air. My mother used it for crafts because it sparkled.
I've heard since moving to Alsea that Libby was called the Valley of Death by Native Americans.
People are dying in Libby after being exposed over the years. It's not the best place to locate a resort or spa. However, it is beautiful with spectacular scenery.
The Politics of Health Care
Is health care the same for everyone? NO! The rich receive the best care. If you question, have a mouth, or offend people in power, then health care becomes difficult. I need to find a doctor who cares about me, who wants to help me, who communicates clearly, and who is my health advocate. Oprah's health advocate is Dr. Michael Roizen at the Cleveland Clinic. I need someone too.
I've been going to OHSU the last few months. There are some great people who care and there are some who succumb to political pressure and others who care more about making sure the money keeps rolling in. Not all doctors communicate clearly. Not all doctors know the answers. Not all doctors and medical professionals are created equal. It's sad that today you have to be your own expert and can't trust. For $150, if you don't have health insurance, you can receive 6 months of care at OHSU so that's what I have been doing. I was told by one doctor at OHSU that "they have done enough." I still don't have some health issues addressed and I don't feel comfortable going back. One doctor asked me if my stomach hurt and seemed to think there was something major wrong but it was never checked out. Not all doctors communicate or make things clear. There are a lot nice people at OHSU and there are many smart, competent people at OHSU but it's a long drive to not receive the help I need and to receive conflicting opinions, and to receive some care that is questionable. I'm not going back. In my honest opinion, I feel I could receive better care in the European Union, Canada, or New Zealand where people are valued and the emphasis is on helping the patient and not concern about cost of care or what was said in a blog or in an article.
I've been going to OHSU the last few months. There are some great people who care and there are some who succumb to political pressure and others who care more about making sure the money keeps rolling in. Not all doctors communicate clearly. Not all doctors know the answers. Not all doctors and medical professionals are created equal. It's sad that today you have to be your own expert and can't trust. For $150, if you don't have health insurance, you can receive 6 months of care at OHSU so that's what I have been doing. I was told by one doctor at OHSU that "they have done enough." I still don't have some health issues addressed and I don't feel comfortable going back. One doctor asked me if my stomach hurt and seemed to think there was something major wrong but it was never checked out. Not all doctors communicate or make things clear. There are a lot nice people at OHSU and there are many smart, competent people at OHSU but it's a long drive to not receive the help I need and to receive conflicting opinions, and to receive some care that is questionable. I'm not going back. In my honest opinion, I feel I could receive better care in the European Union, Canada, or New Zealand where people are valued and the emphasis is on helping the patient and not concern about cost of care or what was said in a blog or in an article.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Health Care
47 million people in the United States of America are without health care and health insurance. This is outrageous. The strong Republican voices that oppose free health care are those wanting to protect their bank account. They sure don't care about people and what is happening in this country. This needs to change. We need to start to value human life again and the potential of all human beings in the United States. We need to move forward and work hard to build a bright future of hope and strength.
A very basic and necessary ingredient in building a bright future of hope is to provide FREE health care to all Americans. The greed of old cannot happen again. We must move forward in this country and put measures in place so that all Americans can dream again. When you have medical problems and no one to help you, it's hard to work on more creative work. When no one is there for you to help you when you desperately need help, you lose hope. The potential of all human beings who are not given basic care is lost. We cannot afford this tragic loss because we have so many bright and talented people living in this country.
With 47 MILLION Americans without health care, we need to stop listening to the greedy voices of the rich and the Republican conservatives and do something about it by giving FREE HEALTH CARE to ALL.
A very basic and necessary ingredient in building a bright future of hope is to provide FREE health care to all Americans. The greed of old cannot happen again. We must move forward in this country and put measures in place so that all Americans can dream again. When you have medical problems and no one to help you, it's hard to work on more creative work. When no one is there for you to help you when you desperately need help, you lose hope. The potential of all human beings who are not given basic care is lost. We cannot afford this tragic loss because we have so many bright and talented people living in this country.
With 47 MILLION Americans without health care, we need to stop listening to the greedy voices of the rich and the Republican conservatives and do something about it by giving FREE HEALTH CARE to ALL.
President Barack Obama
I got the July, 2009 issue of Harper's in the mail. My husband subscribes to it and I love reading it. The cover story is an essay by Kevin Baker, "Barack Hoover Obama: The Best and the Brightest Blow It Again" on page 29. I haven't finished reading it yet. It's all about President Herbert Hoover. I have never fully appreciated President Hoover and all his accomplishments in office so I will enjoy reading it. My shock is at the willingness to give up so easily on President Obama, the hope of the United States. We are only a few months into his Presidency. Kevin Baker says, "At home or abroad, he invariably appears to be the only adult in the room, the first American president in at least forty years to convey any gravitas." And then Mr. Baker says, "It is impossible not to wish desperately for his success as he tries to grapple with all that confronts him: a worldwide depression, catastrophic climate change, an unjust and inadequate health-care system, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the ongoing disgrace of Guantanamo, a floundering education system." And then Kevin Baker in paragraph three predicts President Obama's failure. How can this be?
If President Obama is making any mistake at all, it is that he is too nice and trying to be everything to every American. He is brilliant and is capable of being the greatest President in the history of the United States, IF he does what needs to be done to turn this country around instead of looking for permission. The Republican Party has devastated the United States of America in every area of importance. President Obama was elected to bring change. Like Nike says, JUST DO IT!
We need free health care for all Americans because it's about time that we value and protect life and the potential of all Americans. We need free college and free university education for anyone wanting to put in the time and the work to learn so that we focus on the future and building our resources. We need to protect the elderly by protecting Social Security, the only proven retirement. If the Republicans get back into power and get their greedy little hands on Social Security, they will steal the money and the elderly will be out on the street without protection. We need to stop the loop holes for the rich so they can't take their money outside of the country without penalty and so they have to pay their fair share of taxes. If you do business in the United States of America, you should pay your fair share of taxes to protect our future and the potential of all Americans. We need to protect children and quit coddling criminals. What's this about that scum bag who raped a five year old little girl and gets a year in prison? Outrageous! That judge should be disbarred or at the very least put on probation and have his record under a microscope to see how many criminals he has allowed to walk. There needs to be medical and financial audits to uncover the crooks, criminals, and crimes that have distorted and destroyed our way of life. It's not okay to put outrageous prices on everything just so a few have a summer home in the Hamptons, 12 mansions, and can do whatever they want, whenever they want. It's not okay to operate this way, the Republican way, after destroying the future in the United States. We need to protect wildlife, the environment, clean water, and clean air. The Republicans have done everything they could to destroy wildlife, the environment and make sure that there is not one drop of clean water or one molecule of clean air so measures need to be put into place to protect our planet so that NEVER again can anyone do this kind of damage.
Kevin Baker, I disagree. President Obama isn't a failure. He will rise to fix all problems. He has done an absolutely remarkable job so far with everyone criticizing his every move, even though he moves flawlessly. President Obama isn't done. It's not over till it's over. Start by supporting President Obama. Change is needed. President Obama was elected to give hope to all Americans and to bring change. He will do it.
If President Obama is making any mistake at all, it is that he is too nice and trying to be everything to every American. He is brilliant and is capable of being the greatest President in the history of the United States, IF he does what needs to be done to turn this country around instead of looking for permission. The Republican Party has devastated the United States of America in every area of importance. President Obama was elected to bring change. Like Nike says, JUST DO IT!
We need free health care for all Americans because it's about time that we value and protect life and the potential of all Americans. We need free college and free university education for anyone wanting to put in the time and the work to learn so that we focus on the future and building our resources. We need to protect the elderly by protecting Social Security, the only proven retirement. If the Republicans get back into power and get their greedy little hands on Social Security, they will steal the money and the elderly will be out on the street without protection. We need to stop the loop holes for the rich so they can't take their money outside of the country without penalty and so they have to pay their fair share of taxes. If you do business in the United States of America, you should pay your fair share of taxes to protect our future and the potential of all Americans. We need to protect children and quit coddling criminals. What's this about that scum bag who raped a five year old little girl and gets a year in prison? Outrageous! That judge should be disbarred or at the very least put on probation and have his record under a microscope to see how many criminals he has allowed to walk. There needs to be medical and financial audits to uncover the crooks, criminals, and crimes that have distorted and destroyed our way of life. It's not okay to put outrageous prices on everything just so a few have a summer home in the Hamptons, 12 mansions, and can do whatever they want, whenever they want. It's not okay to operate this way, the Republican way, after destroying the future in the United States. We need to protect wildlife, the environment, clean water, and clean air. The Republicans have done everything they could to destroy wildlife, the environment and make sure that there is not one drop of clean water or one molecule of clean air so measures need to be put into place to protect our planet so that NEVER again can anyone do this kind of damage.
Kevin Baker, I disagree. President Obama isn't a failure. He will rise to fix all problems. He has done an absolutely remarkable job so far with everyone criticizing his every move, even though he moves flawlessly. President Obama isn't done. It's not over till it's over. Start by supporting President Obama. Change is needed. President Obama was elected to give hope to all Americans and to bring change. He will do it.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Creativity Coach
If you're a writer and you want a great creativity coach, contact Michael Michnya at mamichnya@comcast.net. For the last few weeks, Michael has been my creativity coach with insightful questions to zero in on my schedule, productivity, and writing. I appreciate his help and because of his encouragement and insight, I was able to finish my screenplay in April, and I've been sending out my work in June.
I signed up for a free creativity coach with Eric Maisel, who trains creativity coaches. www.ericmaisel.com As creativity coaches are in training, they offer free service to writers and artists. I was happy to be selected and I sure appreciate the help. It would be fun to go through the training and be a creativity coach but that has to stay on the back burner until I get a soft cushion in my bank account and all medical bills are paid off.
I signed up for a free creativity coach with Eric Maisel, who trains creativity coaches. www.ericmaisel.com As creativity coaches are in training, they offer free service to writers and artists. I was happy to be selected and I sure appreciate the help. It would be fun to go through the training and be a creativity coach but that has to stay on the back burner until I get a soft cushion in my bank account and all medical bills are paid off.
Leslie
My husband, Leslie went to see Dr. Wahba yesterday. Dr. Wahba has taken great care of him. I appreciate his phone calls to my husband to communicate. He has monitored Les with blood tests and doctor visits. Yesterday he said that if doctors at OHSU can't figure out what's wrong, Les will be referred to the Mayo Clinic or John Hopkins. I sure hope that someone can figure out what's wrong so Les doesn't have to go through another bout in the hospital.
Les seems fine now but when no one knows what landed him in the hospital before, it's hard to know how to prevent him having problems again.
Les seems fine now but when no one knows what landed him in the hospital before, it's hard to know how to prevent him having problems again.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
my novel
I have submitted my novel that I wrote in November for National Novel Writing Month to the self publishing website, Create Space. I have been working on my novel for months revising it. It's not perfect but I was given the opportunity to get a copy of my book free at the Amazon.com website Create Space so I thought I'd do it. I finished it on time by the deadline on June 1. I have the opportunity to publish with Amazon.com, which is a great idea since they are great at marketing. It eliminates my frustrating attempt at standing on my tippy toes waving my hand trying to get noticed and wanted by a book publisher and agent. It allows me to just write and then write more.
I'm going to revise my novel before publishing though. It needs lots of work still. I also want to change my book cover again. I've also decided I need my characters to go to a Pink Martini Concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. Ideas keep coming so it isn't over or finished until it is finished. My book will probably never be perfect because I'm not perfect. I always see ways to make it better and there are always better ideas and better ways to say things but I have decided to try and get myself out there to live my dreams. My first book is just the beginning. If I keep trying and writing books, my tenth book has to be an improvement. I'm going to publish with Amazon.com this year in 2009!
I'm going to revise my novel before publishing though. It needs lots of work still. I also want to change my book cover again. I've also decided I need my characters to go to a Pink Martini Concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. Ideas keep coming so it isn't over or finished until it is finished. My book will probably never be perfect because I'm not perfect. I always see ways to make it better and there are always better ideas and better ways to say things but I have decided to try and get myself out there to live my dreams. My first book is just the beginning. If I keep trying and writing books, my tenth book has to be an improvement. I'm going to publish with Amazon.com this year in 2009!
Arizona
Yesterday I talked to a woman who has lived in Arizona when I went to OHSU. She gave me new insight into the summers of Arizona, which I appreciate. She said that summers in Arizona are their winter as they stay inside with the air conditioning but I ask what happens when the power fails? I don't think it's too good. I don't think I'd enjoy 120 degrees without air conditioning.
When I flew over Arizona on my last trip to Ohio to see my son, Daniel, I saw nothing for miles. I didn't see desert sand. I saw endless miles of medium brown barren hills and mountains that looked as if they had been scraped clean of all vegetation. I also thought at the time that it looked like someone had taken brown construction paper crumpled it up and stuck it there for mountains.
I know a lot of people appreciate Arizona. I'm sure it's fine in winter.
When I flew over Arizona on my last trip to Ohio to see my son, Daniel, I saw nothing for miles. I didn't see desert sand. I saw endless miles of medium brown barren hills and mountains that looked as if they had been scraped clean of all vegetation. I also thought at the time that it looked like someone had taken brown construction paper crumpled it up and stuck it there for mountains.
I know a lot of people appreciate Arizona. I'm sure it's fine in winter.
My Garden
I am having so much fun out in my garden lately. I love seeing the daily changes, new flowers, finding weeds that need to be pulled, seeing the butterflies and dragonflies that dart about admidst the singing of all the birds in our yard that come to our feeders.
I now have six raised beds finished and plan on more. You don't have to reinvent your garden every year and start from scratch with raised beds. It's there. You just plant and add more compost.
I wish the weather would stay at 60 degrees though all year long, every day and never change. I don't like hot weather. I think rain should come only at night when you're sleeping. Severe weather can be a hardship and threatening to life. I'm glad we live in a mild climate.
I now have six raised beds finished and plan on more. You don't have to reinvent your garden every year and start from scratch with raised beds. It's there. You just plant and add more compost.
I wish the weather would stay at 60 degrees though all year long, every day and never change. I don't like hot weather. I think rain should come only at night when you're sleeping. Severe weather can be a hardship and threatening to life. I'm glad we live in a mild climate.
Books
Yesterday I went to the Alsea Public Library and bought some of the books for 25 cents and 50 cents. I came home with $8. worth and then went back for $3. more. I got some great books.
Yesterday I read a little book by Garrison Keillor called Truckstop and Other Lake Wobegon Stories. I've always loved Garrison Keillor. At rare moments I catch his A Prairie Home Companion on public radio. (We don't get great radio at my house and I don't have a good radio so I listen to radio in my car.) The humor and the charm of his stories about the people of Minnesota have always made me laugh and smile. In this book that I read yesterday, I loved the last story especially called Homecoming, which tells about digging up a septic tank that turns out to be an old Chevy car.
Now I am halfway through reading So Many Books, So Little Time: A year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson. I love her too since she also loves Nora Ephron and Philip Roth. Sara Nelson makes me want to make my own reading challenge. Sara has reminded me that the BEST friends are books.
At first I was thinking of reading a book a day since I am pretty competitive and want to do more and better but I wonder if I can really live up to that realistically. My Dad used to read a book a day. He read a western book every night and then read the Bible. He read the Bible 8 to 10 times all the way through every year. I guess my personal reading challenge depends on whether or not I finish this book today. I figure I can always read children's books since I am also a writer for children and I need to read books for children. I think two books a week is more realistic but I'd like to try for a book a day. Will I make it?
Yesterday I read a little book by Garrison Keillor called Truckstop and Other Lake Wobegon Stories. I've always loved Garrison Keillor. At rare moments I catch his A Prairie Home Companion on public radio. (We don't get great radio at my house and I don't have a good radio so I listen to radio in my car.) The humor and the charm of his stories about the people of Minnesota have always made me laugh and smile. In this book that I read yesterday, I loved the last story especially called Homecoming, which tells about digging up a septic tank that turns out to be an old Chevy car.
Now I am halfway through reading So Many Books, So Little Time: A year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson. I love her too since she also loves Nora Ephron and Philip Roth. Sara Nelson makes me want to make my own reading challenge. Sara has reminded me that the BEST friends are books.
At first I was thinking of reading a book a day since I am pretty competitive and want to do more and better but I wonder if I can really live up to that realistically. My Dad used to read a book a day. He read a western book every night and then read the Bible. He read the Bible 8 to 10 times all the way through every year. I guess my personal reading challenge depends on whether or not I finish this book today. I figure I can always read children's books since I am also a writer for children and I need to read books for children. I think two books a week is more realistic but I'd like to try for a book a day. Will I make it?
Pink Martini
I LOVE Pink Martini and was sad that I couldn't afford to go up to Portland to see them at the recent concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. I asked my husband to go and buy a CD for our son, Joe, since his birthday is coming up on the 19th. I know he will love them, as I do. Joe writes music. In one six month period, he wrote over 24 songs. He's also a great performer on stage acting or singing so I knew he would appreciate the music excellence. When my husband called on his cell to ask which one to get out of those at Fred Meyer in Corvallis, I said the new one, Live in Concert. I decided that since I didn't get to go to the concert, I wanted one too. I didn't expect to find a DVD instead of a CD. Since we rarely buy CD's or DVD's, I first tried it out in CD players throughout the house thinking it was blank. When I found out it was a DVD and watched their incredible performance live at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, tears streamed down my face for I was there and now I can be there each time I watch.
It's wonderful to see the faces behind the music and see them perform. Their passionate music attracts people all over the world. Trained as classical musicians, their music reaches the highest excellence. I love them. I wish I could travel with the band. It would be fun to meet them.
It would be fun to live in Portland or another large city, IF I could afford it because then I could see Pink Martini, visit the zoo, the art museum and galleries, the science museums, see live theater and Broadway plays. This year Neal Simon plays are being performed in Portland and I have missed out seeing them too.
Buy a Pink Martini CD or DVD the next time you're at the music section at the store.
www.pinkmartini.com
It's wonderful to see the faces behind the music and see them perform. Their passionate music attracts people all over the world. Trained as classical musicians, their music reaches the highest excellence. I love them. I wish I could travel with the band. It would be fun to meet them.
It would be fun to live in Portland or another large city, IF I could afford it because then I could see Pink Martini, visit the zoo, the art museum and galleries, the science museums, see live theater and Broadway plays. This year Neal Simon plays are being performed in Portland and I have missed out seeing them too.
Buy a Pink Martini CD or DVD the next time you're at the music section at the store.
www.pinkmartini.com
Sunday, May 31, 2009
JTV
Jewelry Television is one of my favorite channels to watch to learn about gemstones. I wish I could afford to buy some of the great bargains in gemstones I am seeing. There are great bargains right now and if you have money take a look at
www.jtv.com to see them.
I wish I knew how to create my own jewelry so that I could make a custom setting for some of the beautiful gem stones that I see at bargain prices. You can buy settings at great prices but it would be fun to create my own.
Call 1-800-619-3000 to buy a ring or necklace to make your heart sing that you will be proud to wear and feel beautiful.
www.jtv.com to see them.
I wish I knew how to create my own jewelry so that I could make a custom setting for some of the beautiful gem stones that I see at bargain prices. You can buy settings at great prices but it would be fun to create my own.
Call 1-800-619-3000 to buy a ring or necklace to make your heart sing that you will be proud to wear and feel beautiful.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Keep the Faith
I just watched a great movie this afternoon, KEEP THE FAITH starring Ben Stiller (one of my favorite actors), Eli Wallach, Edward Norton, Jenna Elfman, Anne Bancroft, Ron Rifkin and others. Ben Stiller as the Rabbi says to his congregation, "God wants you to watch out for each other." I think that's true.
I know a great Rabbi in Corvallis, Oregon--Rabbi Benjamin Barnett. He was very kind to give an hour of his time to talk to my husband and I when my husband was very sick at Good Samaritan Hospital. He's a good man, a kind man, a wise man.
I know a great Rabbi in Corvallis, Oregon--Rabbi Benjamin Barnett. He was very kind to give an hour of his time to talk to my husband and I when my husband was very sick at Good Samaritan Hospital. He's a good man, a kind man, a wise man.
Religious Manipulation
This morning in the Corvallis Gazette Times on page B7 is a piece titled "Methodists launch 'rethink' and campaign." Next to this is the one titled, "Gay marriage backers trumpet the Mormon Church's work against it." Oh, good grief! The article about the Methodists say they are launching a new marketing campaign to get you to want to be a Methodist. They are going to spend 20 million bucks on the effort. In the next paragraph, it talks about the Evangelical Lutheran Church who has invested nearly 1.2 million bucks over the last two years in their marketing efforts. Good grief, I say. These churches are nonprofits and they are spending millions on media campaigns to get you convinced that they are the best one.
I grew up as a Lutheran and I've thought about going back but then I remember how Martin Luther was anti-Semitic and how I've talked to three different Lutheran churches in Corvallis giving them my resume and information about me trying to get them interested in me. It's like if I don't conform with some magical arbitrary something or other, they aren't interested in me so I have to wonder if they are the place I want to go anyway. I guess it is memories and nostalgia that makes me want to return.
I've thought about the Methodist church and I would feel comfortable there but is it the same thing only cloaked in different Sunday robes?
I don't like the idea that these churches are spending millions on a media blitz for marketing. This tells me something.
The article about gay marriage and Mormons and California's prop 8 says a lot too. Are people really NICE people who try to manipulate? I think not.
Religion is about the individual and trying to become a better person day by day. People can't help it where they were born. People can't help it if they were born gay or if they were born with a different skin color. If you believe in God, then I think that it is logical that God made everyone and loves everyone and wants everyone to win and wants everyone to be the best they can be. My big gripe with religion is that it seems like religious leaders want you to obey without question, not think, not figure things out. If you become like everyone else and not be an individual with your own unique gifts and talents, then what is the point? Sometimes it seems like religions want you to follow in lock step like mindless robots.
I enjoy listening to Joel Osteen on television who smiles and acts like he enjoys being a minister, unlike many ministers who are so serious and look like church is the last place they want to be. Joel Osteen encourages people to work hard to be the best they can be and to develop their talents. That's good.
If I were born in India, I would grow up in a different religion than if I were born in China. If there is a God and sometimes I really wonder considering how religious leaders and religious people act, I think God just wants us to be kind to one another and look out for one another. I think individual differences are precious and important. I think it's wonderful to be around people from different backgrounds and people who have different opinions because it helps me to grow and learn. I don't have answers but I'm a better person than I was five years ago. Isn't that what life is about? We aren't here on earth to tell someone else how to live or to say that someone else's way is wrong. We are here to learn and understand each other, to get along, to be kind, to be tolerant, to help one another.
I feel comfortable around Jews although their service is foreign to me because I didn't grow up in it. What about the Jesus question, you ask? Jesus was a good Jewish boy who questioned and wanted everyone to get along. I'd like to study kaballah.
When the Catholic church forces women to become pregnant without birth control in order to be a good Catholic, I ask what about all the children who are born into homes where they aren't wanted and where the family can't afford them. Is an abortion really bad when you consider the consequences of birth into a family of abuse or a drug addict mother or an alcoholic abusive father or neglect or severe poverty? What are the economic consequences of all the unwanted children who grow up without love and sometimes find a life of crime and violence? Until the Catholic church says they will finacially shoulder the economic burden of all the unwanted children, I think they should mind their own business and not frown on birth control.
Does a religious leader have the right to question the heart of anyone, especially when the religious leader has the problem with anger and doesn't even have his/her own house in order?
Religious people should be concerned with themselves and with their own behavior. Religion is about the individual and perfecting self, not about getting everyone to agree that their way is best.
Churches think they have all the answers but every time church leaders speak out in anger, it tells me they are trying to manipulate and they sure don't have a different line to God. I've known atheists who are more ethical than religious leaders. Everyone has a right to an opinion and the right to be treated with respect. People should be concerned with themselves and not trying to force other people to think like themselves.
I heard an Episcopal priest on television say that you can be spiritual in three ways--through ritual, meditation and prayer, and by spending time in nature.
Until more answers come, I'm going to continue spending lots of time on my 3.65 acres and continue to try to be the best person I can be when I come in contact with people. I think it's important to continually learn and grow. Maybe some day I'll have more answers than questions. Right now I have more questions.
I grew up as a Lutheran and I've thought about going back but then I remember how Martin Luther was anti-Semitic and how I've talked to three different Lutheran churches in Corvallis giving them my resume and information about me trying to get them interested in me. It's like if I don't conform with some magical arbitrary something or other, they aren't interested in me so I have to wonder if they are the place I want to go anyway. I guess it is memories and nostalgia that makes me want to return.
I've thought about the Methodist church and I would feel comfortable there but is it the same thing only cloaked in different Sunday robes?
I don't like the idea that these churches are spending millions on a media blitz for marketing. This tells me something.
The article about gay marriage and Mormons and California's prop 8 says a lot too. Are people really NICE people who try to manipulate? I think not.
Religion is about the individual and trying to become a better person day by day. People can't help it where they were born. People can't help it if they were born gay or if they were born with a different skin color. If you believe in God, then I think that it is logical that God made everyone and loves everyone and wants everyone to win and wants everyone to be the best they can be. My big gripe with religion is that it seems like religious leaders want you to obey without question, not think, not figure things out. If you become like everyone else and not be an individual with your own unique gifts and talents, then what is the point? Sometimes it seems like religions want you to follow in lock step like mindless robots.
I enjoy listening to Joel Osteen on television who smiles and acts like he enjoys being a minister, unlike many ministers who are so serious and look like church is the last place they want to be. Joel Osteen encourages people to work hard to be the best they can be and to develop their talents. That's good.
If I were born in India, I would grow up in a different religion than if I were born in China. If there is a God and sometimes I really wonder considering how religious leaders and religious people act, I think God just wants us to be kind to one another and look out for one another. I think individual differences are precious and important. I think it's wonderful to be around people from different backgrounds and people who have different opinions because it helps me to grow and learn. I don't have answers but I'm a better person than I was five years ago. Isn't that what life is about? We aren't here on earth to tell someone else how to live or to say that someone else's way is wrong. We are here to learn and understand each other, to get along, to be kind, to be tolerant, to help one another.
I feel comfortable around Jews although their service is foreign to me because I didn't grow up in it. What about the Jesus question, you ask? Jesus was a good Jewish boy who questioned and wanted everyone to get along. I'd like to study kaballah.
When the Catholic church forces women to become pregnant without birth control in order to be a good Catholic, I ask what about all the children who are born into homes where they aren't wanted and where the family can't afford them. Is an abortion really bad when you consider the consequences of birth into a family of abuse or a drug addict mother or an alcoholic abusive father or neglect or severe poverty? What are the economic consequences of all the unwanted children who grow up without love and sometimes find a life of crime and violence? Until the Catholic church says they will finacially shoulder the economic burden of all the unwanted children, I think they should mind their own business and not frown on birth control.
Does a religious leader have the right to question the heart of anyone, especially when the religious leader has the problem with anger and doesn't even have his/her own house in order?
Religious people should be concerned with themselves and with their own behavior. Religion is about the individual and perfecting self, not about getting everyone to agree that their way is best.
Churches think they have all the answers but every time church leaders speak out in anger, it tells me they are trying to manipulate and they sure don't have a different line to God. I've known atheists who are more ethical than religious leaders. Everyone has a right to an opinion and the right to be treated with respect. People should be concerned with themselves and not trying to force other people to think like themselves.
I heard an Episcopal priest on television say that you can be spiritual in three ways--through ritual, meditation and prayer, and by spending time in nature.
Until more answers come, I'm going to continue spending lots of time on my 3.65 acres and continue to try to be the best person I can be when I come in contact with people. I think it's important to continually learn and grow. Maybe some day I'll have more answers than questions. Right now I have more questions.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tale of Despereaux
I love the animated film, the Tale of Despereaux. I first saw it on Amtrak traveling from Seattle to Albany but didn't get to catch the ending so I watched it on Pay-Per-View on Direct TV because it is outstanding.
I knew I would love the movie with the words at the beginning that said,
"Once upon a time, there was a brave little mouse who loved honor and justice, and always told the truth."
It's an outstanding film and is worth watching over and over, even if you are as old as me. I love the writing, the animation, the characters, and the story that makes you think.
It's a story about a mouse hero named Despereaux in the Kingdom of Dor. Despereaux "heard more, saw more and smelled more than any of the other mice." Everyone was concerned that Despereaux didn't scurry or cower but instead was fearless and brave.
If you listen carefully to the script, you hear words like....
"A hero doesn't appear until the world really needs one."
"What happens when you make something illegal that is a natural part of the world? You might as well make flies illegal or sweat or Monday morning."
This outstanding animated movie has an all star cast with names like Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Christopher Lloyd, Tracy Ullman, Sigourney Weaver, Charles Shaughnessy, Matthew Broderick and others.
I knew I would love the movie with the words at the beginning that said,
"Once upon a time, there was a brave little mouse who loved honor and justice, and always told the truth."
It's an outstanding film and is worth watching over and over, even if you are as old as me. I love the writing, the animation, the characters, and the story that makes you think.
It's a story about a mouse hero named Despereaux in the Kingdom of Dor. Despereaux "heard more, saw more and smelled more than any of the other mice." Everyone was concerned that Despereaux didn't scurry or cower but instead was fearless and brave.
If you listen carefully to the script, you hear words like....
"A hero doesn't appear until the world really needs one."
"What happens when you make something illegal that is a natural part of the world? You might as well make flies illegal or sweat or Monday morning."
This outstanding animated movie has an all star cast with names like Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Christopher Lloyd, Tracy Ullman, Sigourney Weaver, Charles Shaughnessy, Matthew Broderick and others.
2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Last night I watched the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee on ABC. It's a celebration of excellence. Out of the 11 kids who were the top spellers in the nation, two were white, one Asian, one African-American and the rest were of Indian descent. All of these young people are outstanding and have worked hard.
The top three spellers were
Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas, age 13
Tim Ruiter from Virginia, age 12
Aishwarya Pastapur from Illinois, age 13
The championship words were
reredos
antonomasia
bouquiniste
oriflamme
guayabera
isagoge
sophrosyne
menhir--This word took out Aishwarya from Illinois.
phoresymaecenas--This word took out Tim from Virginia.
laodicean--This is the winning word that made Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas the winner of the 2009 National Spelling Bee.
Congratulations, Kavya. You are amazing, outstanding, and I was thrilled to watch you win.
As I watched the spelling bee for the second time that is saved on my tivo, I thought about all the schools who don't participate in the National Spelling Bee and who don't care about this great competition that celebrates excellence. It tells a lot about a school who doesn't care to participate and encourage their students to participate.
Kavya's father was her coach. Tim's coach was his mother who homeschools him. I saw the oustanding parents of all eleven young people who work hard to help their children become all they can be. Each of the parents is an outstanding example of what all parents should be and how parents should help their children learn. Parents are the first teachers and the most important teachers of their child. It is the parents responsibility to teach their children within the safety of the home to learn to become independent and successfully navigate in the world. These parents are outstanding examples of this as I'm sure all these children will go on to become contributing adults in any field of their choice.
The top three spellers were
Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas, age 13
Tim Ruiter from Virginia, age 12
Aishwarya Pastapur from Illinois, age 13
The championship words were
reredos
antonomasia
bouquiniste
oriflamme
guayabera
isagoge
sophrosyne
menhir--This word took out Aishwarya from Illinois.
phoresymaecenas--This word took out Tim from Virginia.
laodicean--This is the winning word that made Kavya Shivashankar from Kansas the winner of the 2009 National Spelling Bee.
Congratulations, Kavya. You are amazing, outstanding, and I was thrilled to watch you win.
As I watched the spelling bee for the second time that is saved on my tivo, I thought about all the schools who don't participate in the National Spelling Bee and who don't care about this great competition that celebrates excellence. It tells a lot about a school who doesn't care to participate and encourage their students to participate.
Kavya's father was her coach. Tim's coach was his mother who homeschools him. I saw the oustanding parents of all eleven young people who work hard to help their children become all they can be. Each of the parents is an outstanding example of what all parents should be and how parents should help their children learn. Parents are the first teachers and the most important teachers of their child. It is the parents responsibility to teach their children within the safety of the home to learn to become independent and successfully navigate in the world. These parents are outstanding examples of this as I'm sure all these children will go on to become contributing adults in any field of their choice.
Jack Bennett
On May 26th my husband and I drove to West Salem to see our grandson, Jack Bennett graduate from kindergarten at Myers Elementary School. We visited his classroom, met his teacher, Mrs. Brewster, and watched the wonderful ceremony. His classroom is full of bright colors and lots of posters to catch your eye to learn on every inch of the walls. It sure looks like a nice school and I had a great time. I loved the songs the children sang when they stood on the risers before receiving their diplomas. One song called "First Grade, First Grade" was sung to the tune of New York, New York. I couldn't hear the words because I was way in the back row in the gym but I knew it was great since I love this tune. I'm proud of Jack and I'm happy that he loves school and loves to read.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Binyons
I drove to Albany to pick up my new glasses from Binyons at the Heritage Mall today. I'm so happy with them. I love my new glasses. My titanium frames are so light weight and I love the round shape. I took advantage of the 1/2 price sale so I got both my bifocals and my single vision computer/music glasses. I'm very happy with them and appreciate Julie's help when I ordered them and picked them up.
www.ecca.com
www.ecca.com
Daniel Haber
My son, Daniel is at Ohio State University working on his MBA and works for Battelle. His team placed third out of 70 teams competing in an event at OSU sponsored by Deloit Business Plan Competition. Daniel's team won $12,000 and got invited to another competition.
I'm so proud of Daniel. He's an inspiration to me and one of my heroes.
See the article about this competition at
http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/newsroom/headlines/index.php?folder=65&news=1307
I'm so proud of Daniel. He's an inspiration to me and one of my heroes.
See the article about this competition at
http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/newsroom/headlines/index.php?folder=65&news=1307
Home Depot
My son, Daniel gave me a $75 gift card for Home Depot for Mother's Day so I could make some of my dreams come true for my garden. I've spent part of it and will be happy to pick out a few plants during my next visit. We bought lumber for raised beds. I've made three raised beds so far. The guy that helped my husband cut the boards gave us a great tip about making raised beds. He said to cover the boards in plastic to protect the wood. My three raised beds are 18 inches high and are 8 feet by 4 feet. I have strawberries planted in one. In the other two raised beds are 16 tomato plants. We have three more to build and I have big plans on adding more raised beds.
I appreciate the expert advise at Home Depot, the great selection, and good prices. I enjoy seeing the possibilities.
I appreciate the expert advise at Home Depot, the great selection, and good prices. I enjoy seeing the possibilities.
Stark Bro's
I received my order from Stark Brothers and I am so pleased with it. I planted two days ago an almond tree that I will be excited to watch grow. I planted three blackberry bushes that will have three inch berries. The plants are healthy and have sprouts. I also planted the free Asian lillies that I received with my order under my maple tree in the front yard. I planted the 24 strawberry plants in a raised bed that I made. The strawberries that will grow are giant strawberries so I can hardly wait. I love strawberries.
You can count on receiving healthy plants from Stark Bro's. The plants are guaranteed for life and you can find unusual plants and trees in this catalogue. I've ordered from them in the past and I have always been happy.
1-800-325-4180
www.starkbros.com
You can count on receiving healthy plants from Stark Bro's. The plants are guaranteed for life and you can find unusual plants and trees in this catalogue. I've ordered from them in the past and I have always been happy.
1-800-325-4180
www.starkbros.com
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Michael Liebling M.D.
My husband had an appointment at OHSU with Dr. Michael Liebling yesterday who specializes in arthritis and rheumatic diseases. I loved him instantly when I saw his brilliant mind at work. It was a joy and an honor to listen to him. I'm sure that his classes at OHSU are packed with students who would never want to miss a minute of his stories and insightful medical wisdom. He should be cloned to fill teaching hospitals all across this country. Rheumatology is a horizontal speciality that spills over into other medical disciplines and areas so Dr. Liebling at OHSU is the one that other doctors in Oregon come to when they can't figure out the answers. I have complete confidence in Dr. Liebling that he can solve the medical mystery with my husband. Oregon Health Sciences University is lucky to have Dr. Liebling. He's perfect.
Racial Prejudice in Alsea, Oregon
Yesterday on the front page of the Corvallis Gazette Times was an article about a hate crime in Alsea where I live. It was titled "'Reckless burning' shocks family." Summer MacLean who has a 13 year old adopted African American son found a five foot long charred cross in their front lawn. This is outrageous. Hate crimes can never be condoned or excused. No one should be treated like this. It is unacceptable and there should be zero tolerance for any hint of racial prejudice in every town across the United States.
Deputy Clay Stephens from the Benton County Sheriff Department is declaring this a reckless burning which makes light of it. This isn't okay and I'm deeply disappointed to hear that the Benton County Sheriff Department is not taking this seriously. Hate crimes can not be tolerated.
Alsea School Superintendent Jon St. Germaine says "...Alsea is a welcoming and caring community." I disagree. Alsea is a welcoming and caring community IF and ONLY IF you agree with the majority, act like the majority, think like the majority, and look like the majority. If you have different opinions that are not accepted, you are not welcomed and cared about. I was told in a bible study group when I first moved here that if you don't fall into line and agree with what is acceptable that you are driven out. That isn't Christ-like or charitable.
Anyone who participated in this or agrees with what happened or has feelings of racial prejudice in their heart should hang their heads with shame.
Deputy Clay Stephens from the Benton County Sheriff Department is declaring this a reckless burning which makes light of it. This isn't okay and I'm deeply disappointed to hear that the Benton County Sheriff Department is not taking this seriously. Hate crimes can not be tolerated.
Alsea School Superintendent Jon St. Germaine says "...Alsea is a welcoming and caring community." I disagree. Alsea is a welcoming and caring community IF and ONLY IF you agree with the majority, act like the majority, think like the majority, and look like the majority. If you have different opinions that are not accepted, you are not welcomed and cared about. I was told in a bible study group when I first moved here that if you don't fall into line and agree with what is acceptable that you are driven out. That isn't Christ-like or charitable.
Anyone who participated in this or agrees with what happened or has feelings of racial prejudice in their heart should hang their heads with shame.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
AFSC
When I was in my sophomore year of college at Oregon College of Education in 1967 and 1968, I went on workcamp projects with AFSC with other college students in the northwest. The American Friends Service Committee set up amazing projects in inner cities, mental hospitals, prisons, Indian reservations, and other areas to give college students knowledge and exposure to problems that we would not otherwise have or learn. I went to the Nooksack Indian Reservation in Washington, Dammasch State Hospital, Oregon State Hospital, Albina Arts Center in Portland, and a prison in Portland that I don't remember the name for some reason. I remember that the prison had women and I'll never forget seeing one woman's ear that was torn. Someone must have grabbed her earring and yanked. I remember on one mental hospital ward, one patient took another patient in an airplane spin just like in wrestling on television and threw him against the wall. I sure didn't feel safe at that moment. It opens your eyes to see the conditions of prisons, mental hospitals and other institutions within a safe setting. We had administrators talk to us about what we were seeing, the problems within the setting, and they answered our questions. It was eye opening.
5'4" or 5'6"
Am I 5'4" or 5'6"? When I was in high school, I was 5'6". The last time that I went to DMV, I told the guy that I thought I was shrinking as I am getting older. I asked him to measure me. He didn't but he left a surprise on my renewed drivers lisence. I didn't check it right away but when I looked I found out that he made me 5'4". Great. Thanks a lot. I am 5'6".
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Craig Robinson
Craig Robinson, Michele Obama's brother, is the coach of the basketball team for Oregon State University. My husband has had so much fun this last basketball season watching OSU on television and see them win a college championship. Craig Robinson, the new coach, took a team that has lost every game for years and won the championship this year. He did this without kicking off any members of the team. He took the team as it was, believed in them, worked with them, encouraged them, and taught them how to win. He's great.I also saw in the Corvallis Gazette Times that Craig Robinson spoke before Boy's and Girls Club and said that Boy's and Girl's Club has a winning philosophy. Craig Robinson is a great leader and he should be named First Citizen of Corvallis.
Seaweed
I added something new to my diet this week--seaweed. When I visited my son, his wife, and my newest granddaughter in Seattle last weekend, I learned about the power of seaweed in your diet. My daughter-in-law told me that her mother started eating seaweed at the suggestion of her doctor who practices alternative medicine. After eating seaweed after a period of weeks, a growth or cyst disappeared.
I believe strongly in healing your body with natural foods, rather than taking medication from a doctor. Eating healthy food and exercising heals your body and prevents disease.
So I went to the Asian Market at 1875 9th Street in Corvallis where I regularly buy tea and bitter melon. The store wasn't open yet but I had a nice conversation with a Chinese lady who told me about the benefits of eating onion. I regularly eat a lot of onion but she said that if you drop a whole, unpeeled yellow onion in chicken soup, it cleans the blood. Chicken soup boosts your immune system and if the onion peel helps to clean your blood, I'm doing it. I made chicken soup yesterday and I dropped a whole onion in the broth. It made the broth more flavorful and I felt better just knowing it was good for me.
When the store opened, I bought fresh seaweed and roasted seaweed that people use to roll up suishi or eat as a snack. The roasted seaweed is good as a snack and I'll eat it often. I haven't tried the fresh seaweed yet but I remember my mother buying seaweed tablets from the health food store so I know I will like it, even if it takes time to get used to it.
I believe strongly in healing your body with natural foods, rather than taking medication from a doctor. Eating healthy food and exercising heals your body and prevents disease.
So I went to the Asian Market at 1875 9th Street in Corvallis where I regularly buy tea and bitter melon. The store wasn't open yet but I had a nice conversation with a Chinese lady who told me about the benefits of eating onion. I regularly eat a lot of onion but she said that if you drop a whole, unpeeled yellow onion in chicken soup, it cleans the blood. Chicken soup boosts your immune system and if the onion peel helps to clean your blood, I'm doing it. I made chicken soup yesterday and I dropped a whole onion in the broth. It made the broth more flavorful and I felt better just knowing it was good for me.
When the store opened, I bought fresh seaweed and roasted seaweed that people use to roll up suishi or eat as a snack. The roasted seaweed is good as a snack and I'll eat it often. I haven't tried the fresh seaweed yet but I remember my mother buying seaweed tablets from the health food store so I know I will like it, even if it takes time to get used to it.
Manure
I got a great gift yesterday and the day before from Alsea Acre goat farm next door--three large truck loads of manure. It's the most I have ever received. I don't think anyone cares about manure as much as me. Why, you ask? I heard on a gardening show on television that it's important to put three inches of compost on your garden four times a year. Since I have over one acre to get into shape and put into garden, I need a lot of manure. I appreciate the great gift. Thank you, Nancy!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Linda Varsell Smith
Linda Varsell Smith read a poem during the monthly writing critique group last Tuesday for Corvallis Children's Writers. I woke up the next morning remembering the rhythm and cadence of the poem and started to create lines to one of my own. It was a poem about her mother, Honey. Linda's mother sounds a lot like Linda--encouraging, inventive, full of energy, gifted, and she enjoyed creating events to make others happy. Linda is the matriarch of writers in Corvallis who nurtures, encourages, teaches, and helps. Linda teaches life writing in Philomath at Peace Lutheran Church each term for LBCC.
I am in awe of her energy and genius. She prolifically turns out poems and is part of the Mary's Peak Poets. She probably started it. It meets in her home monthly.
Linda is Swedish and travels to Sweden often. I'm half Swedish so I enjoy hearing about Sweden from others.
I am in awe of her energy and genius. She prolifically turns out poems and is part of the Mary's Peak Poets. She probably started it. It meets in her home monthly.
Linda is Swedish and travels to Sweden often. I'm half Swedish so I enjoy hearing about Sweden from others.
U.S. Supreme Court
David H. Souter is retiring from the U.S. Supreme Court so President Obama will be picking the replacement. As a former law professor from the University of Chicago, President Obama is well-qualified to pick someone.
While I was in Seattle last weekend, I shook my head when I heard Senator Orin Hatch from Utah say that he was outraged that President Obama wants to pick someone who has compassion and empathy for women and minorities in the United States. I wasn't surprised that Senator Hatch said this. Utah is the home of Mormons where most of the population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have had personal experience that their compassion and empathy only exists when reporters and television cameras are there to record their actions.
I'm confident that President Obama will pick the best person to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm grateful that President Obama cares about all people in this country and not just the richest Americans. All Americans need justice and all Americans need President Obama's leadership.
While I was in Seattle last weekend, I shook my head when I heard Senator Orin Hatch from Utah say that he was outraged that President Obama wants to pick someone who has compassion and empathy for women and minorities in the United States. I wasn't surprised that Senator Hatch said this. Utah is the home of Mormons where most of the population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have had personal experience that their compassion and empathy only exists when reporters and television cameras are there to record their actions.
I'm confident that President Obama will pick the best person to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm grateful that President Obama cares about all people in this country and not just the richest Americans. All Americans need justice and all Americans need President Obama's leadership.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Green Lake
I love walking around Green Lake in Seattle. It's near my son's home. I never made it all the way around over the weekend. The first time I tried, I went out by myself and went one third of the way and it started to pour so I turned back. The next day, we all went out to see the turtles sitting on the log and went back because we weren't sure Les, my husband, could walk very far. It's amazing that my husband was well enough to walk that far and later to Wallingford for a cupcake.
The beauty surrounding Green Lake is spectacular and unequaled. I do not personally know of any walking trail that is nicer in any community. I wish I lived close so I could walk around Green Lake every day. I'd like to live right across the street. It's just beautiful and everyone who comes there is blessed to have this opportunity to exercise there.
Communities should be set up so you can walk to everything that's important to you--walk to exercise, shopping, restaurants, a library, and everything that you need so you don't have to drive except for special trips.
The beauty surrounding Green Lake is spectacular and unequaled. I do not personally know of any walking trail that is nicer in any community. I wish I lived close so I could walk around Green Lake every day. I'd like to live right across the street. It's just beautiful and everyone who comes there is blessed to have this opportunity to exercise there.
Communities should be set up so you can walk to everything that's important to you--walk to exercise, shopping, restaurants, a library, and everything that you need so you don't have to drive except for special trips.
Spuds in Alki
I love eating at Spuds on Alki Beach in Seattle. It has great fish and chips. It's so much fun to look at the bay and walk next to the water. It's one of my favorite places to visit when I'm in Seattle. There's a big sign on the wall that Spuds was the first fast food restaurant in Seattle and they are celebrating their 70th anniversary. When it first opened, you could buy fish and chips for only 10 cents. Such a deal!
Anna Rose
My husband and I got to see our newest granddaughter, Anna Rose in Seattle this weekend. She's growing fast. She's trying to crawl and talk. She goes everywhere with her parents and is so well behaved. She is calm and has a good disposition, just like my son, Benjamin when he was little. He was always good too. I love her so much. I love to hold her and just look at her. I came home with over 200 photos on my digital camera so I have them to enjoy every day now that I'm back in Oregon. I'm sure going to miss her. She is so cute, smart, loved, feels secure, happy, has wonderful parents, and everything she needs to grow and learn.
Amtrak
I love riding trains and was happy that my son sent my husband and I Amtrak tickets to visit Seattle for Mothers day and Fathers day. We had such a nice time. The seats are comfortable and if you sit on the water side, you see Puget Sound out your window around Tacoma and Olympia up to Seattle. It's gorgeous.
All staff on the train are courteous and respectful.
I've always loved trains. I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, my Dad drove my me and my mom to Troy so we could ride the train to Libby--where I lived until the end of the 3rd grade. It was so much fun.
I picked up the 2009/2010 Amtrak Vacation Guide and the Amtrak System Timetable at the Albany Train Station. There are some amazing affordable vacations for families all over this country. You don't have to drive or spend the gas. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery this great country has to offer out the expansive windows. A trip to the Amtrak Cascades Car will delight anyone who's hungry. There are specialty sandwiches, salads, soups, drinks, and entrees that are delicious. I overheard two young students who were surprised and happy with the variety on the menu with all the great choices from Ivar's famous clam chowder to turkey sandwiches made with focaccia.
I had a great time. It's so much easier than dealing with traffic and weather driving up to Seattle. I can sit back and relax watching a great movie, read a book, or write. I sat across the isle from an attorney who was sitting with a student. It's smart to travel by train if you regularly travel from Portland, Seattle, or Eugene to Seattle for business. I know it's sure fun to travel by train to visit family.
Thank you Ben and Amanda for the great gift and fun!
www.amtrak.com
All staff on the train are courteous and respectful.
I've always loved trains. I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, my Dad drove my me and my mom to Troy so we could ride the train to Libby--where I lived until the end of the 3rd grade. It was so much fun.
I picked up the 2009/2010 Amtrak Vacation Guide and the Amtrak System Timetable at the Albany Train Station. There are some amazing affordable vacations for families all over this country. You don't have to drive or spend the gas. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery this great country has to offer out the expansive windows. A trip to the Amtrak Cascades Car will delight anyone who's hungry. There are specialty sandwiches, salads, soups, drinks, and entrees that are delicious. I overheard two young students who were surprised and happy with the variety on the menu with all the great choices from Ivar's famous clam chowder to turkey sandwiches made with focaccia.
I had a great time. It's so much easier than dealing with traffic and weather driving up to Seattle. I can sit back and relax watching a great movie, read a book, or write. I sat across the isle from an attorney who was sitting with a student. It's smart to travel by train if you regularly travel from Portland, Seattle, or Eugene to Seattle for business. I know it's sure fun to travel by train to visit family.
Thank you Ben and Amanda for the great gift and fun!
www.amtrak.com
Portage Bay Cafe
My son, Benjamin and his wife Amanda took my husband and I out for breakfast on Saturday morning to Portage Bay Cafe in downtown Seattle for breakfast. All the food is organic and locally grown. There's a topping bar with fresh fruits, nuts, whipped cream, and organic maple syrup for the delicious pancakes or french toast made from challah. I ordered the all natural corned beef hash. It was amazing. Grilled organic vegetables with red onions, bell pepper, red potatoes, sweet potatoes, fresh herbs, and green onions were mixed with corn beef with a scrambled egg on top and organic whole wheat toast.
You can feel good about eating out at Portage Bay. You are spoiling your body with delicious healthy food and you are helping to support a restaurant that is making great choices to serve organic food that is locally grown.
You can feel good about eating out at Portage Bay. You are spoiling your body with delicious healthy food and you are helping to support a restaurant that is making great choices to serve organic food that is locally grown.
Seattle Tilth
I went to the big edible plant sale in Seattle with my son, his wife, my husband, and my new granddaughter. It was raining and crowded. There was such an amazing choice of healthy plants. There were plenty of happy, smiling volunteers to help guide, inform, and help. They said you can volunteer anytime, even for a day during the year. It would be fun to volunteer to help but I don't live in Seattle. It's a wonderful opportunity for anyone in the Seattle area.
My daughter-in-law, Amanda brought home many beautiful, healthy herbs and vegetable plants. My son, Benjamin lives within walking distance to where the sale is located so next year, they can bring a wagon like many who came.
Seattle Tilth teaches peace through gardening. They have a garden hot line to answer questions and provide materials. Call them at 206-633-0224 or e-mail help@gardenhotline.org. They have great classes for adults on how to grow your own food or raise chickens. The focus is on organic gardening and the urban environment. Such a deal for anyone in the Seattle area. On the front of their brochure, it says "cultivating a sustainable city, one garden at a time."
www.seattletilth.org
My daughter-in-law, Amanda brought home many beautiful, healthy herbs and vegetable plants. My son, Benjamin lives within walking distance to where the sale is located so next year, they can bring a wagon like many who came.
Seattle Tilth teaches peace through gardening. They have a garden hot line to answer questions and provide materials. Call them at 206-633-0224 or e-mail help@gardenhotline.org. They have great classes for adults on how to grow your own food or raise chickens. The focus is on organic gardening and the urban environment. Such a deal for anyone in the Seattle area. On the front of their brochure, it says "cultivating a sustainable city, one garden at a time."
www.seattletilth.org
Friday, May 01, 2009
Bread Squishing
I just finished packing up some turkey croissant sandwiches. My husband asked me to leave the sandwiches in the plastic case since he doesn't like his bread squished.
How in the world does a man who hates to have his bread squished end up with a woman who as a little girl used to take off the crust and squish up her Wonder bread slice, roll it up into a ball and eat it? I have no idea but we've been married for 37 years.
How in the world does a man who hates to have his bread squished end up with a woman who as a little girl used to take off the crust and squish up her Wonder bread slice, roll it up into a ball and eat it? I have no idea but we've been married for 37 years.
NCIS
I love watching NCIS. Gibs is my favorite. He is a strong moral compass who fights crime. Watch NCIS on CBS.
Seattle
I'm going to visit my perfect little granddaughter, Anna this weekend. She lives in Seattle with her perfect parents in Green Lake. My husband and I are going by Amtrak as a gift for Mother's day and Father's day.
James Patterson
I read the Midnight Club by James Patterson last year. I enjoy reading the fast pace of James Patterson's suspense novels. After thinking about this book, I can't help but find comparisons to what has happened over the last eight years and the people in high positions of power in business who feel no remorse for what they have done. It's common to hear CEO's who have been responsible for taking down our economy say that they have a right to the bonus money and they should not be held accountable.
I recommend that everyone read The Midnight Club, the tale about organized crime who decide to go legit and clean up their act. They decide it is beneficial to infiltrate large corporations and steal with the cloak of respectability.
I want to know why the law enforcement agencies are silent and not doing anything to stop it. Why do we keep throwing money at business who do not want to be held accountable and laugh in our face when we say they aren't playing fair? If anyone has the strength of character and intelligence to do something about it, it is the leadership of President Obama.
I recommend that everyone read The Midnight Club, the tale about organized crime who decide to go legit and clean up their act. They decide it is beneficial to infiltrate large corporations and steal with the cloak of respectability.
I want to know why the law enforcement agencies are silent and not doing anything to stop it. Why do we keep throwing money at business who do not want to be held accountable and laugh in our face when we say they aren't playing fair? If anyone has the strength of character and intelligence to do something about it, it is the leadership of President Obama.
Being Held Accountable
Being held accountable is an attitude that is shunned. Incompetence seems to rule. Micromanaging is a dirty word aka don't look too close or you'll see what I'm doing. If you gather dummies around you who are incompetent, it is easier to steal. Don't shine the light too close on what I'm doing. Don't make anyone look bad or call him on his stuff. The excuse that everyone makes mistakes is excusing way too many mistakes that cost. We all know what these attitudes have done to our country in the last eight years under Republicans who love money and stand for greed. What's amazing to me is that some people are shouting for more instead of being grateful that President Obama is in charge trying to turn things around for our country and for all Americans. First Lady, Michele Obama is setting a new course by saying, "It's cool to get A's."
Religuous
I watched Religulous, a movie made by Bill Maher. I've been wanting to watch it ever since I heard about it but I didn't see showings in the movie theater and there were only two showings on PPV on Direct TV. Two, not several showings a day for several weeks, like most of the movies. I thought this interesting.
Bill Maher says that faith means making a virtue out of not thinking and that those who preach faith are intellectual slave holders keeping mankind on bondage. I know that this is true in most religions because many churches believe you should blindly follow the direction of the minister who possesses all truth and wisdom. I know that most religions don't value or respect women.
Judaism, more than any other religion, believes in using your brain and finding solutions, in my opinion, although Bill Maher disagrees, the Jewish man with the mouth. I appreciate Bill Maher for pointing out things that most people don't have the courage to say. He has a right to his opinion. He has a right to a forum.
Bill Maher says at the end of his film that the only appropriate attitude for men is doubt because doubt is humble since history is full of examples of men of faith who got things wrong.
Many people of faith feel that it doesn't matter if we destroy the environment or pollute. They believe that the world is coming to an end so it just doesn't matter. They seem to even want it to come to an end and are almost working to hasten it. How sad. How tragic.
People need to use the brains they have and think. Solutions need to be found to protect our planet and find answers to problems. Answers can be found by searching for the truth, debating ideas. It's good to have an opinion and express it. People should strive to be the best they can be. Excellence must be encouraged.
Bill Maher says that faith means making a virtue out of not thinking and that those who preach faith are intellectual slave holders keeping mankind on bondage. I know that this is true in most religions because many churches believe you should blindly follow the direction of the minister who possesses all truth and wisdom. I know that most religions don't value or respect women.
Judaism, more than any other religion, believes in using your brain and finding solutions, in my opinion, although Bill Maher disagrees, the Jewish man with the mouth. I appreciate Bill Maher for pointing out things that most people don't have the courage to say. He has a right to his opinion. He has a right to a forum.
Bill Maher says at the end of his film that the only appropriate attitude for men is doubt because doubt is humble since history is full of examples of men of faith who got things wrong.
Many people of faith feel that it doesn't matter if we destroy the environment or pollute. They believe that the world is coming to an end so it just doesn't matter. They seem to even want it to come to an end and are almost working to hasten it. How sad. How tragic.
People need to use the brains they have and think. Solutions need to be found to protect our planet and find answers to problems. Answers can be found by searching for the truth, debating ideas. It's good to have an opinion and express it. People should strive to be the best they can be. Excellence must be encouraged.
Swine Flu
Swine Flu is in the news and is a potential global pandemic emergency. I saw on CNN that the source of the problem is a pig farm in the heart of Mexico owned by Smithfield Farms. I thought this was interesting. Smithfield Farms is the apple pie kingdom of former Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon who would rather pay fines than clean up and stop polluting. Senator Gordon Smith, a Mormon or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is among many who disregard the need to protect our environment.
CNN reported that Smithfield Farms said that their farm isn't causing the problem. Is this true or not? If Smithfield Farms are doing the checking, how can you trust it? There needs to be an independent agency that goes in to determine if Smithfield Farms is causing the problem. I doubt CNN would risk saying that the heart of the problem is the pig farm owned by Smithfield Farms, unless it was true.
CNN reported that Smithfield Farms said that their farm isn't causing the problem. Is this true or not? If Smithfield Farms are doing the checking, how can you trust it? There needs to be an independent agency that goes in to determine if Smithfield Farms is causing the problem. I doubt CNN would risk saying that the heart of the problem is the pig farm owned by Smithfield Farms, unless it was true.
Health Care
President Obama said recently that it isn't hard to protect social security but the problem is the health care system and medicare.
There shouldn't be a problem with protecting medicare either and giving health care to everyone in this country, IF and I say IF, someone takes GREED out of the equation.
There is something very wrong when you look at hospital bills to find charges for items that should be cheap that have a price several times its cost. It's interesting that hospitals can be a nonprofit when they are a cash cow. In order to make sure they don't show a profit, they escalate all the charges for doctors fees and all the supplies and medications that are used for the patient.
Greed must be halted. It's destroying our country. There should be a cap on the amount of profit that can be taken. Why aren't the law enforcement agencies in our country using their power to stop it. Greed is bankrupting our country and is destroying the American way of life.
There shouldn't be a problem with protecting medicare either and giving health care to everyone in this country, IF and I say IF, someone takes GREED out of the equation.
There is something very wrong when you look at hospital bills to find charges for items that should be cheap that have a price several times its cost. It's interesting that hospitals can be a nonprofit when they are a cash cow. In order to make sure they don't show a profit, they escalate all the charges for doctors fees and all the supplies and medications that are used for the patient.
Greed must be halted. It's destroying our country. There should be a cap on the amount of profit that can be taken. Why aren't the law enforcement agencies in our country using their power to stop it. Greed is bankrupting our country and is destroying the American way of life.
Mangoes
I had to look up in the dictionary to check on the plural of mangoes. In the New Oxford American Dictionary Second Edition, it says that either mangoes or mangos is okay. I wasn't sure so I always use a dictionary.
I had two mangoes for breakfast this morning that I bought at Safeway at 2 for $1.00. Great price and they were delicious. Mangoes after you peel them are slippery and there isn't much fruit on a mango but they are good for you and are a great breakfast treat. What else did I have for breakfast? A bran muffin from Safeway. I love the bran muffins from Safeway and I bought four to have for several days.
While I was playing canasta with my husband this morning and eating my mangoes, my husband commented about President Bush trading technology and computers for mangoes from India. He said this trade was like the Indians trading beans for Manhatten.
I had two mangoes for breakfast this morning that I bought at Safeway at 2 for $1.00. Great price and they were delicious. Mangoes after you peel them are slippery and there isn't much fruit on a mango but they are good for you and are a great breakfast treat. What else did I have for breakfast? A bran muffin from Safeway. I love the bran muffins from Safeway and I bought four to have for several days.
While I was playing canasta with my husband this morning and eating my mangoes, my husband commented about President Bush trading technology and computers for mangoes from India. He said this trade was like the Indians trading beans for Manhatten.
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