Star of Life

This symbol is called the Star of Life. You will see it on almost all ambulances. It is on my uniform. It is on both of my certification cards. Each of those points are the care that I have chosen to provide for the sick, injured and critically ill. When I arrive at a call I have no idea what I am walking in to, but I have sworn to provide service and to carry out my service in all areas to the best of my ability.

There has been much argument recently that doctors should be able to withhold services based upon their religious views. So under the same umbrella should all emergency personnel. Firemen should be able to decide that they can not run into a burning crack house because they believe that drugs are evil. They should be able to allow women to burn to death because prostitution is a sin. Paramedics should be able to walk away from a severe car accident because the driver was intoxicated, and although their guts are hanging out they feel that they can not save them because they do not believe in alcohol in their church.

How far are we willing to let this argument go before it gets to this extreme? As for me, I will continue to save all lives no matter what my views are. I would respect those of the patient and no matter what I might think of them, in a worldly sense, I will provide them all the care that I am capable to give.

That should be the "christian" way. It is the right thing to do.

From France to Oostburg...... and DOA.

Last Sunday John returned from France after 35 days. He was as happy to be home as we were to havehim here. I have been cooking and grilling out ever since. He was very ready for some good 'ol American cuisine. Burgers and brats and corn on the cob drippingin butter.



















The weather here was so much warmer than it had been there that we had to immediately turn on the A.C. Fine with me as well. Adding to our burger and salad delite has been the delicious vegetables outof my garden. A garden that was just a small patch when he left and has now become a full fledged jungle! Nothing quite like a large warm garden tomato.

Now, after only a week, he is leaving again on Monday. This time for Oostburg, Wisconsin. Into Mixter country. Where is that in relation to you Mixter? Also Esteban land. How about where you reside Esteban? He will be there for 3 to 4 weeks and then right on to Oregon.

This Wednesday I had my first DOA. A person that was not much younger than me. They had not been too well and had moved back into their parents home. They were found deceased in the AM by their parents. We were called to verify. It was strange.

It did not bother me and still does not, but it makes me think. There were those who thought that I should be having night mares about this experience. Does it make me abnormal because I am not? I wanted to keep looking. I wanted to learn more about the process. Maybe I should go to medicalschool. I did not see them as anyone,but as a subject to study. I wonder if it would have been different if it was a child and not someone so close to my own age. It felt strange to be there at the beginning of this families grief. We left once the police began their photographing and the coroner does the rest.

This really is a lame post because I still can not verbalize exactly what I think about the entire episode.

Running with Scissors

This weekend my mom was over and I had a Netflix film lying around, Running with Scissors. the film version of Agusten Burroughs memoir of the same name. It was OUTSTANDING! Not the kind of film that my mom tolerated very well, too dark for her, but I loved every odd moment of it. The performances were wonderful. I don't remember if Annette Benning won an award for this movie, but I know she should have. Aside from her work in American Beauty I do not think that she has ever been better. She was so wonderful in her portrayal of this crazed woman. All of the characters are odd. They always say that truth is stranger than fiction.

Then it made me want to know more about this young man, so I looked him up on the Internet and found his home page and blog, both of which I am going to link here because he is a good writer and I like what I have read in his blog so far. He talks about having an older brother who suffers from Ashbergers syndrome who is going to have his own book published soon. To access his blog you have to go to the homepage first.

If any of you like the occasional odd film then I suggest that you give this one a try. Not a cutsie date type film, or really a family film, but rather one that you don't mind laughing at the inappropriate moment with other like minded folk!

Joining the Crowd

Yesterday, as I toiled making lattes for the entire city it seemed, one of our regulars came in and she had a copy of the latest Harry Potter book. As many of you know, and we have talked about it at other blogs, I am not a fan. Well, as usual I always want to fit in so I asked her if I could see her book. She passed it back to me behind the bar and ....... I read the last page. Wow, what a relief, now I am part of something big and I fit in. I'll be able to sleep knowing that I am one of billions who can live my life having been a part of this craze. I am complete now.

Being a Good Samaritan

The thing about having this knowledge, EMS, is that if you see a need then you should respond, but if you do you must stay with the person/persons until other help arrives. It is not something that I would do if I am out for a night of drinking, but if I am at the grocery store or driving down the road or maybe even at the vet.

Yesterday we were sitting and waiting our turn, with Casey, at the vet's office. I heard one of the assistants say that there was a lady laying in the parking lot. I ran out to my trunk to grab my pack and got my gloves on and ran out to her. As I was approaching I could see that she was lying on her side in the road. The vet's office shares a side road with a McDonald's. There was a rather burly man leaning over her. There was a car parked a few feet further up with opened doors. I said,"Sir, please do not move her". Then he said, in a very unfriendly tone,"Who the fu*# are you?"


"I am an EMT and I would like to make sure that this lady is not injured." He then began to berate her about jumping out of the car and look at what she has done. At this point there were also 2 assistants behind me from the vet's office and they indicated that they had called an EMS unit. He got very angry,"Who do you think is going to pay for this?' He seemed to be very much a bully. I got a close look at this lady and she did not have any visible injuries, but she was crying and just kept saying that she was"she was just so tired".

As you could hear the approaching sirens he helped her up and into their car, we got the plate number and make, and they left. I told the nurses that they should call the local police and give them the plate number. I hope they did. I returned to wait with my dog.I believe that they have a domestic situation and she may have been bruised from the jump and that guy probably is an abuser. He was rather hulking and liked to intimidate. Asshole.

Earlier that day, during my break at the coffee mega giant, one of our regular customers was feeling very poorly and indicated that he was a diabetic and should probably check his sugar. I said yes, that would be a good idea and if it is too low we may have to get a squad. We checked and it was too low. I quickly got his a small cup of our straight sugar syrup that we use to sweeten the iced coffee. It is the closet thing we have to the oral glucose that we carry on the squads. I had him drink it straight down and within a few minutes another check of his sugar and it was back up in to a safe range and then he ate some cheese crackers. Diabetics have to be very careful and this is a younger guy and only been diagnosed for 6months so he is still learning too.

This is one of the reasons that I took this job. A service to humanity. I don't write about it today for praise or accolades, but just to share with you as friends. I am thrilled that I have these skill sets that I can use to provide a service and help to my fellowman. This is what good people are all about. It is such an awesome feeling to know what you are doing and to know that you are able to make a difference in the life of another human being. It is very gratifying. I know now that I chose wisely and this is the path that I was meant to follow. I often questioned myself, but now I know.

Emptying Out the Junk Drawer

It has been another hectic week fueled by wine and junk food and MUCH espresso!! By Friday I was hitting the snooze button several times before finally getting up, but not willingly. I never even used to touch the snooze button, heck I used to get up on the click before the alarm would even go off, but now.....I dread mornings. Especially by Friday. I actually even work on Saturdays, but they are a bit more laid back and not so busy with work day people, at the coffee mega giant, I only do EMS on Wed. & Thurs. I have gotten really repulsed by my own unhealthy eating and activity habits. It is really hard to think about those things when you would just rather come home and take a nap. It is that vicious cycle; you feel better when you do workout and eat right and that makes it easier to keep doing it, but when you can not even get started again.... well, that is a whole different scenario.

I have also been avoiding all news and papers this week. I am not even watching the Daily Show. Just real mindless crap like Scrubs. I am so disgusted with politics right now and sick and tired of BushCo that I could scream. I try not to even look at the front page when people buy them at the coffee house. Actually the son and I have been watching movies, from Netflix, like Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles. We did watch Stranger Than Fiction, with Will Farrell and loved it, although it is not something that will appeal to lots of his fans as it is very different movie with dark and subtle humor. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson have great roles as well. Farrell is really understated in this film.

I am finally through with my probationary driving period with my EMS unit. I can drive lights and sirens anytime/anywhere. So, I got my baptism, not by fire, but as it would seem appropriate with water. We had to drive Code Red to the hospital, and most of our hospitals require highway driving. It was as dark as night at 8:30 the AM and raining and storming like crazy. You could hardly see the cars in front of you and I had to drive, on the highway, in this weather as well as drive 60-65. I was white knuckles all the way!! I was chewing my gum until I think my jaws were aching!! We arrived safely and naturally the storm passed for the return drive.

Then, yesterday I was excited to get another good call that I just jumped in and we drove off. It was not until we came back out, to load and take the person to the hospital, that I noticed a section of cord hanging out of the side of the ambulance. In my excitement I had forgotten to unplug the changer and had pulled a section of it off and had been driving with the plug/cord hanging out the side. I unplugged it and showed the guys and said, "Ooops, my bad"! I'm not the first.

Sunday will be the beginning of John's third week in France. He is ready to leave. He has been working 72 hour weeks and the language barrier is making it a very slow process. He also is not really enamoured with the food. He has sent pictures of folks with their dogs in the restaurants and bars. They are allowed to take them right inside. There was a guy sitting right behind him with his dog on his lap. They also do not have any of the smoking regulations either. John can smoke everywhere but his hotel room and then they tell you that you can do it out the window. He did take some pictures of a really cool local home. You could tell it was old, made of stone, and had bats and crosses and dragons and gargoyles. All in the coolest colors. Dragons on the roof spires etc. Very, very cool. The home had a surrounding stone fence with lions on them and French words.

I have to take our Golden, Casey, to the vet today and that is one of the jobs that I like to have him home for. She is 109 pounds and gets spastic at the vet. This is a new vet too, so she will have many new things to smell. She hates to get weighed.

Well, that is a little bit out of the 'ol junk drawer for today. I see that it is now time to gird my loins for a short 4 hours at "ye olde coffee shoppe". Then vet and a quick stop at the wine store and maybe a night of movies and vino. I don't think I see any working out on the "to do" list for this weekend. Maybe next week.

Talking About Health Care

Two things that I really like over at Victories web site today; first he has this great quote that I really love, " When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross". Second, he has done an EXCELLENT post on the health care issue. He does not take Michael Moores side, but simply and clearly discusses key issues and points within our current system of care. Bravo to Victories and you should take the time to go and read it. Outstanding good work.

Diets & Diapers

If the package instructed me to "carry a spare set of dark colored pants" or I had to worry about instances of " an orange river of grease running down my leg" I think that I would skip it and try to diet the old fashioned way. Those are just a few of the quaint quotes in this MSNBC article about the new over the counter diet drug Alli. It's official name is Xenical.

I was literally laughing out loud as I read this article because it is so gross. I, along with millions of other people, would like to loose weight and have it be as easy as taking a pill, but when there are chances that you might poop your pants.... that is where I draw the line! I gave that activity up when I was about 2 years old. One taker commented that they had "pooped their pants 3 times that day". This is something that people are willing to tolerate?

The makers tell you that if you follow the low fat diet, to the letter, that you should not have any problems, weell, if I want to do that then I should do it own my own. I will punish myself, but why do I want droopy drawers poopy pants to be my alternative punishment for overindulging? I know that there are people out there who cannot do it on their own and they need extra help, but I question if these side effects are the type that you would be willing to live with to shed that extra 10 pounds. Not me. Eating healthy is not the most fun,but I really tend to frown on this alternative. Besides, Huggies donot come in any fun colors that I am willing to spring for yet.

Welcome Wagon

Time to welcome in a few new blogs to my list of links! Two of them are very political in nature and the third is about life and relationships, so there is something for everyone and every mood.

The two political blogs came to me courtesy of Mixter who has an endless supply of choices on her blog. They are; The Talking Dog and One Little Victory.

The Talking Dog is an excellent political blog and has many, many links with a directory that gives a short synopsis of each blog. Lots of work has gone in to that blog. It will take me some time to make my way through, but I anticipate great enjoyment as I do. Victory is also a good blog. Again , I thank Mixter for putting it all out there for us lazy folk.

Musings From the Edge is a thought provoking blog that takes us in other directions. A thinking blog, but about things other than politics. Sometimes it is nice to reflect inward instead of at the rest of the world and this blog is good for that. I have to thank Rachel, at Indigo Luna, for providing the link to this little gem. We often need to take some time for personal reflection and introspection if we are to maintain in this fast paced world. Some days we just need to slow down and take a deep breath and think about ourselves and cater to our own needs. The world does not stop when you take the time to do these things. The rest of the universe will wait for you and you are a much better person afterwards.

Happy reading!!

The Pretenders

It seems as if there is much activity going on with "pretenders" these days. Whether it be in the political arena or rock and roll. Like many of you I too was outraged when Dick Cheney decided that he was the holder of 2 distinct jobs and both of them were of the type that left him in the position of not having to talk about anything! I must admit that this White House has been the most talented at pulling rabbits out of hats. I do not think that I have ever seen a group that has been more creative in the ways they have crapped on the Constitution or the American people. I shake my head daily and after the Scooter Libby episode I even gave up all news for a few days in disgust.

Lloyd Garver is often a contributor to CBS News and today he an excellent article on Dick Cheney and his "second job". He compares him to a superhero, Senate Boy who turns in to Veep Man. It is funny and sadly, very true. You really should check it out.


Then we move on to a local gal. Chrissie Hynde, of the Pretenders, who's brother lives just a few blocks from my house. I have to say, that yes, I have even partied at his home. My little brush with famous. She is opening a very fancy vegetarian restaurant near here. She will be giving a free concert and party at the opening. They are also trying to get Devo as well. There have been much larger stories in the local papers. I will go and try the food while the hubby is out of the country since a vegetarian place has no draw for him. Meat all the way for my guy. I made a very lovely homemade vegetable lasagna once and he said it would be really good with a nice side of meat!!

So, I guess one article is about a "meathead" and the other is "meat less".

Speaking of Food

What type of food best reflects your personality?
Created by Katie on Memegen.net

Your a sugar doughnut, with sprinkles on top! Why? your sweet, fun, and you personality is as colorful as rainbows! everyone you meet knows how much fun you are to be around, and you live life to the fullest every day. always thrive to be different, sugar!

Take this quiz now - it's easy!

If you were to ask one of your closest friends to describe you in one word, what would they probably say?

Shy Good-looking Undescribable!

Happy & Safe 4th of July!!

While many of you will be going to festivals, or cooking out etc. I will be working EMS today in case anyone blows off a body part or gets burned while trying to play with fireworks after one too many adult beverages!

I wish you all a safe and enjoyable time with family & friends.

8 Random Facts

Since my blogging kindred spirit, Mixter, decided to tag me with a meme I have posted it here for everyone's reading pleasure!!

Here you are, eight randon facts about Dharma:

1. I was originally a musical theatre major. That is how I ended up as a singing waitress. In Fort Worth & Dallas there was a restaurant where I worked that hired lots of different theatre people. I did much dinner theatre and local theatre in those towns. Got tired of starving and became a teacher, even though in alternative education that is not far from either theatre or starving!!

2. I am very un-coordinated. I have never been able to even do a foreward roll. No tumbling acts. In school gym I was always the most unable to do stuff.



3. I am a very fast reader. If I sat down, and had the time, I could read an average book in a day or two.

4. I can also type one hell of a paper in the same amount of time. I used to put off all my papers, for school, and then bust out an awesome paper on a deadline.

5. I really like my feet. Out of lots of people I know and see I think that I have the best size and shaped feet. I always notice because I hate ugly feet. I have great looking nails and they are not too big. I have friends who have pinky toes that have no nails or they have huge spaces between their roes and look like tree frogs..



6. I sometimes cry at TV commercials.

7. Like Esteban, I also love to try new things on menus.

8. I have seen classic rock bands; Queen & David Bowie live.

Courage & Reality

The people who say you are not facing reality actually mean that you are not facing their idea of reality.

Margaret Halsey


"The most courageous thing that a person can do is to live an authentic life. What is an authentic life life? It is a life lived from your heart, speaking YOUR truth, standing in YOUR truth, living in YOUR truth". Terri Amos in an article entitled "Authenticity = Freedom." A person can only live what they believe to be their own truth and can not be faulted for that. It is fine to be able to have discussion and even dissent about topics of the day, but if you truly believe something, and that is fine, it still does not make it your position or duty to convince others that yours is the right path or way.

This is the way that I feel and look at "organized religion". They have many limiting beliefs. They tell you that you are bad and must be saved. They tell you that you are not worthy of the kingdom of Heaven and must work harder. You are not good enough to get in and must do more. Why is that? I used to ascribe to these beliefs myself, for many years, and then I finally realized that Yes, I am good enough. I am a good person and have not committed any major badness in my life. so why should I constantly be working to get into this kingdom? Once I had this epiphany I felt much more at ease in my life.

I don't need someone else to tell me that I need to work harder and do more. I do many good works every day and yet I do not ask anyone to pat me on the back for them. I volunteer my time and ask for nothing in return and I even do spontaneously without fanfare. I will share my thought pattern, if asked, and yet I do not try and convert anyone to my way of thinking. Although I do love to have rousing discussion with many philosophy majors that I work with at the coffee mega giant.

I do not take any more limiting beliefs in to my life, or I try not to, and I do not intend to alienate those who belong to churches and groups. That is their choice, but as for me I choose to be a free spirit and direct the flow of my own life. I ask myself, "Is this the truth for me?" and if it doesn't feel right, then it is not a good fit. It is up to the individual to know their own truth. Society plays a huge part in telling people what to believe and what to do, I choose not to play along.

"Limiting beliefs are like a cage locked tight with no opening in sight. But when you realize that you are the one who holds the key in releasing these beliefs, only then can you find freedom." Terri Amos

I found my key.

My Contibution...Hmmm, What Will it Be?

What will I give to the world today? A very perplexing question. Deep. The beginning paragraph to the article, by Tom Walsh who writes a column entitled, "Eyes Wide Open".

Do we often, if ever, hop out of bed in the morning and begin our day by asking ourselves this question? I can honestly say that I do not. We are often so absorbed with our own appointments, and errands, and jobs and everything else that the world throws at us, not to mention all the other people that are either in our lives or that we are responsible for.

What will I add to the experiences of the people with whom I have contact on this day? Usually, I will also admit, that I am most often thinking only of how to get through my day and what I have to get done after work. I am even looking at my patients more as work, rather than someone whose life I may make a difference in that day. So, as the article goes, I am going to try and begin to be more conscious of making contributions to the world in the following ways.

I want to contribute pleasantness whenever I meet someone, whether I know them or not. Now, I must say that I do this on a regular basis when I am working at the coffee mega giant. I also try to do it wherever I might be, but it is also very easy for me to stop whenever I think others are rude and discourteous. I do need to avoid sarcasm and judgement. I will admit that I often make snap judgements. I'd like to try harder to contribute praise and avoid criticism. I don't need to share my opinions as often as I might. Maybe only when asked directly. I want to contribute positive energy and much less negative. There is so much negativity in the world that I do not want to be an active part of its promotion!!

I also want to contribute more courtesy. I try to have good manners on a regular basis, be a good driver, open doors etc. You name it, but it is very disheartening when you see so many rude people. I also want to participate less in unnecessary gossip. It really serves no point. It is only for the entertainment of those sharing it. The person, or people that it is about get nothing from it. It is hard when you work with so many women to do that, but I think , with enough practice that it is doable!!

There are many days ahead of us and I imagine if we put our best effort in to trying we might just be able to make a small contribution and if we are all making small contributions they will all add up into bigger ones and the positive energy will be outstanding.

Blogging About Thinking, Thinking About Blogging

I wanted to do this when I could devote my full attention & time to being precise and making sure that I am able to hit all the finer points of the blogs that I am mentioning. This all started because Mixter nominated me, in her post, as one of 5 blogs that makes her think or that she believes is a good thinking blog. I went to the link that Mixter had on her site because I wanted to make sure that I hit all the details, so with no further adieu I give you my list of thinking bloggers.

Part of the criteria was listed as, " ...blogs with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all, blogs that really get you thinking."


1. Mixter's Mix: I list Mixter, not because she nominated me, but because I was reading her blog long before I ever took the plunge into blogging myself. I don't even remember how I came upon it, but it has always been one of the most thought provoking blogs that I ever read. There are times when Mixter waxes poetic about family & kin, but when she hits a political nerve she is always dead on!! She knows more and reads more than I ever do. She reads much more than I do and I always find out many more things about what is going on with the world when I read Mixter.

2. Indigo Luna: Another blog that I was reading long before I began my little page in cyber-space. Rachel always makes me think very deeply about the person that I am and the person that I want to be. She shares and discusses such deep, personal parts of her life. There are times that I will read a post on her site and realize that it was the very things that was missing or that needed work in my life. She is also an artist and shares some of the most beautiful works of art whether it is photography, or fabric, or something drawn. I am always drawn to her site and this is why I nominate her.

3. Veni Vidi Vici: Esteban's blog is one that, months ago, I never would have thought that I would have chosen, let alone been reading!! I had originally thought that he was way too conservative when I would read his comments on Mixter's blog. Then I began to go his blog and found that he had volumes of very intelligent and thought provoking things to say. As a matter of fact he is often more middle of the road than a scary ultra-conservative type. he is reasonable. He is also a great writer and I think that he should even dabble in writing for some publications. Like Mixter, Esteban knows a great deal about what is happening in the world and in our own government. I can not keep up with Esteban any more than I can Mixter. On the fun side he has also published a few recipes and other fun stuff. I am actually always looking forward to what he might have blogged. if nothing else you can usually expect that it will be thought provoking.

Now, I know that the idea was 5 blogs , but of all the blogs that I read I felt that these 3 really fit within the defintion of the "thinking blogs". So, there you have it, and if you have not ever checked these folks out you might want to stop by their little slice of the cyber world some time.

Thinking Blogs

Thanks for the kind words Mixter. I have been tagged and listed by Mixter as a "thinking blog" and I have been tagged to list 5 blogs that make me think. Well, I am going to have to give this some serious thought and blog about that in a day or two when I have time to give it the attention that it deserves.

Thanks again Mixter, I am honored.

Daily Meditations

One of the things that I really enjoy from the web site, Living Life Fully, are the daily meditations that I receive. I print them and use them as inspirations for my journaling. They usually have an interesting thought for the day and at the end they pose several thought provoking questions.

There have been two, in the past several days, that I think have been especially good. I am going to copy & paste them here in their entirety for your reading and pondering enjoyment.

Well, I could not copy them, so I am going to link them for you & hope that you might take the time to read them and apply the thoughts to your daily life.

Issues, We Got Issues

One of the first things that I ever learned from a professor was, "Figures lie and liars figure". We all know that information can be manipulated and that everyone does it. I have never turned a blind eye to that fact, but we try and discern who's information seems to be the most logical and from what sources. In this day and age it is the best that we can do. Which brings us to the discussion of two VERY hot topics. The death penalty & health care.

I think that we will begin with the death penalty. It was my first major when I started back to college and this has left me with many text books. My thoughts were to do juvenile probation, but I ended up in the education of "at risk" kids, so usually they were involved with the court system and after seeing how the system really works I am thankful that I did not continue to pursue that avenue.

My thoughts came today after reading an article by Associated Press writer Robert Tanner. His article claimed that the death penalty does indeed deter murder. I am not sure that I am wanting to agree with this vein of thought. Myself, along with others, are questioning the validity of the analyses.

As many of us already know there are several states that have called a temporary moratorium on the death penalty. We all have read and heard of the many cases where innocent people have been exonerated after DNA evidence has taken them off of death row. The sad thing is how many have died that were never given the chance to prove their case.

There has been a good deal of discussion on the topic especially after several lethal injection attempts have caused lengthy and protracted deaths. The state of Illinois has already called a moratorium on executions. More than half a dozen states are in the midst of debates and in New jersey they have had an outright abolition. One of the arguments that I have came to me from the text "The American System of Criminal Justice" Gregory F. Cole University of Connecticut 6th Edition.

"An estimated 250 offenders on the nation's death rows are classified as retarded. It is argued that retarded people have difficulty defending themselves in court since they have problems remembering details, including locating witnesses, and testifying credibility in their own behalf. It is also asserted that executing the retarded serves no deterrent purpose, is only minimally retributivist, and is disproportionate to the crime. In 1989 the Supreme Court upheld the Texas death penalty statute and said that the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit execution of the mentally retarded. The case involved Johnny Paul Penry, a convicted killer with an IQ of about 70 and the mental capacity of a seven-year-old."

"The philosophical and legal arguments over capital punishment continue. Of the 4 goals of criminal sanction, deterrence has had the greatest appeal. Although research has tended to support both sides of the issue, recent studies have engendered great controversy. If deterrence cannot be shown to result from use of the death penalty, what then is the justification? Ernest van den Hagg, a leading supporter of the penalty, has argued that retribution justifies the sanction. He and others argue that there are some people whose crimes are so heinous that they deserve to be executed. Yet others point to the discriminatory aspects of the penalty, noting that of the 20,00 murders per year in the United States, only 250 offenders receive a death sentence and upward of about 25 are executed yearly. Two-thirds of those on death row are in the South, with the greatest number in Florida, Georgia and Texas." I wonder how many of them have completed high school or how many are lower level learners? It seems to me that there is something askew when a particular area holds a higher number of deviant people.

These are just a small portion of the facts and figures that make me question the validity of keeping this practice alive, no pun intended, and that this is an area that should be discussed seriously and possible alternatives brought forth. I know that the prisons are already overcrowded, but how can we continue to kill when we may be in the wrong?

Then we have the health care situation. Now, I do not claim to be able to argue this topic thoroughly, but I do know that we need something better! Especially after I have seen what can happen to a family when the h"health care rug" is pulled out from under you. It is a very necessary evil, but also one that is quite devastating when you no longer have it. The cost of meds alone can leave people without food or gas etc.

In last Fridays edition of our local paper they carried about the best article I have read on the health care issue. It was written by David Leonhardt a New York Times business columnist. It was one of the best articles that I have read on the subject and most clear. he does not take a side either way, but rather discusses simply that there are tough choices to be made. If you have the chance to find it it would be excellent reading since I do not have the ability to link it here and I also do not want to re-write the entire article. He does close by saying, " ...Reforming the system will require a fight- not just over the meaning of the word "universal", but also over finding tough, sensible ways to save money...." "The simple truth is that medical spending can't continue to rise at its current rate. Somehow, we need to make choices."

Two very important areas where very important decisions need to be made.

Time Out & Cartoon Hands

Sometimes it amazes me that Mixter will be talking about a topic that I am currently reading an article about. This time has been no exception. She is talking about taking a break from working etc. and I just happened to be reading an article about the importance of taking a "time out". The article comes from the web site that I frequent, Living Life Fully, and I often use them as journal topics. The article that I was reading was called," Call Time Out and Adjust Your Course" by Jeff Keller. The question that he posed was, How often in your life do you call a time out to review what is working for you and to put an end to what isn't? Probably not often enough. Unfortunately, we tend to become entrenched in habits which are not moving us in the direction of our goals. Something that I had been doing until recently.

I had thought, for much of my life, that I had to be successful and wanted to have much wealth. I thought that once I had my degree that it would all fall in to place. Well, here we are 8 years later and it has taken me some time to realize exactly what it is that I do and don't want. Real big wealth is one of the things that I don't want. Time has much more meaning to me these days. I have decided that playing the game is not all that it is cracked up to be. I would much rather just go along and be happy. Happiness means much more to me. I also have no desire to prove anything to anyone. I am only going to do those things that bring happiness to me and my family. I do not have to put on a show for anyone. Like Mixter, I have decided to play the game for fun. I am going to enjoy the rest of my life.

Today I finally called a new doctor to get in and get refills on my asthma meds, I have been using over the counter crap, because my doctor died a few years ago and that fact, coupled with the lack of insurance for years I have not had a doctor. I am finally going because of some weird thing that has been going on and causing me lack of sleep. I can sympathize with you on that too Mixter!!

I wake up several times a night where one, or both, of my hands feel as if they are so full of fluid that the skin is stretched tight and they are feeling swollen like cartoon hands. It hurts to even tough them in this condition. It wakes me up and then I have to hold them up in the air until a feeling of normality returns and then I can go back to sleep. It has been troubling me for several months now. There are no other symptoms that go along with this. Well, if I can not get in within the next 2 days, due to a cancellation in his office, I will have to wait for 2 weeks while he is on vacation.

I hope giving up coffee is not in my future!!! A very scary thought.