Thursday Thirteen: Honoring Women

Today I thought I'd offer up a little glimpse at 13 women who have impacted my life. My mother has passed on, so I am going to celebrate Mother's Day this year by celebrating ALL women here today.

Their numbers are legion, so 13 doesn't begin to cover every woman who has impacted my life.

Mom

1. My mother. For better or worse, it's always Mom who has the top spot. My mother worked at the same job for 30 years, beginning when she was 16 as a file clerk. We moved to a farm when I was 7 years old. I think she hated every minute of it, but she learned to garden, can food, and chase cows with the best of 'em. She was 18 years old when I was born, so she was a young mother. She really didn't have time to grow up before I was there. She taught me, most of all, to stand by my husband and support him. My mother died in 2000 from pancreatic cancer.



Grandma

2. My grandmother. My mother's mother was also a great force in my life. Grandma kept me from the time I was about two years old until I started school, and then during the summers until I was around 13. She also took care of me when I was sick; Mom would drop me off on her way to work. Grandma raised six children and took care of numerous grandchildren. Every Friday she would walk up to her sister's house and do her hair. She taught me the meaning of family, I think. Grandma died in 2007.

Aunt Susie

3. Aunt Susie kept me when I was a wee babe; she used to love to point out the windowsill I once chewed on and left teeth marks. I wonder if they are still there? Aunt Susie had no children of her own but raised stepchildren. She and Uncle Carl were collectors and her house was a treasure-trove full of dolls, salt shakers, and model cars. She loved to crochet and when she was in her 80s she made afghans "for the old people" to have at nursing homes. That's the way to grow old, eh?

Aunt Carolyn

4. Aunt Carolyn is my mother's sister. She and I are a lot alike; she likes computers and is very business-minded. I am like that too, except that gets tempered by my unusual creativity and passivity. Carolyn has more drive than I do, I think. She's very independent and pretty much a straight-shooter when it comes to telling you what's what. She's going strong at 62 and I wish I had her methodology about work - and her health.

Aunt Jennifer

5. Aunt Jennifer married into the family, being my mother's brother's wife. She went back to nursing school as an older student and obtained her degree. Most recently she had bariatric surgery to help her with her weight, and I think that was a tough thing to do for someone nearing 60. She has goals and dreams and goes after them. She also stepped in and helped me tremendously when my mother was ill.

Grandma B.

6. My Grandma B., who lives in California, is not someone I knew well. The US is a big country and 2,000 miles are not easily overcome. She visited a few times and I went to see her once. We talked on the phone a lot before she lost her hearing, though. She is now 93 years old and living in a nursing home. She was widowed over 20 years ago and hung in there. When I was 17, she and my grandfather visited and my grandmother and I had a little argument. Later, when I apologized, she told me, "That's okay. You didn't hurt me, only my feelings." I have never forgotten that particular lesson, that you are not your feelings. They are two very different things. I thought that was a good life-lesson and one that has served me well.

My mother-in-law

7. My mother-in-law has been a steadfast anchor for her family for the entire time I've been an in-law. She worked outside the home at a good job until her retirement about 10 years ago. She supported her husband, who passed away in 2010, in everything he attempted. She has bounced back from his loss in an admirable way and has created a whole new life for herself. I really am impressed by her ability to do that - not every woman can. She also was an exemplary patient when she broke her hip a number of years ago. She did everything the doctors and nurses told her to do with scarcely a complaint, and was soon back at home taking care of life again. She is faithful in her religion and loves her children and grandchildren fiercely. She has taught me the meaning of quiet strength.

My friend L., who hates
to be photographed

8. My friend L. has been my cheerleader and supporter for more than 30 years. She has held my hand during bad times, offered me encouragement when I needed it, and applauded my efforts to return to school and obtain my degrees. L. has taught me how to be a friend, and that's an important thing to know.

9 & 10. I wrote on Tuesday about two of my teachers, Tina Weiner and Dee Sheffer, and how influential they have been in my life. They both supported me throughout high school, which was a difficult time for me (as it is for most of us), and helped me become the woman I am today. I can name other teachers who were influential in my life, too: Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Lanning, Mrs. Kiker, Mrs. Kidd, Mrs. Thompson, and Ms. All come quickly to mind. Kindness goes a long way - they were all nice to me.

Amanda (l) and me.

11 & 12. Two of my college professors were also instrumental in molding me: Jeanne Larsen and Amanda Cockrell. Jeanne taught me several classes at Hollins and I write as well as I do because of her. She offered me amazing support when I was struggling and her belief in my abilities strengthened my resolve at a time when I needed it most. Amanda taught me writing courses when I went back for my masters degree and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. I stay in touch with both of them and they are terrific role models. My teachers have always been people I look up to and respect. I can't thank them enough for their support.

13. Every other woman I know. Gosh, there are so many. My sisters-in-laws, Jennifer and Dina. My niece, Zoe, who at 12 has shown me perseverance. Too many cousins to list. My friends: Brenda, Teresa, Jules, Lisa, Beth, Cathy, B.J., Inga, Dreama, Sudie, Bobbie Lou, Monty, and hundreds of others who have impacted me in one way or another. Even women I never speak to, whom I see juggling children and shopping carts in the store, have an impact on me. Every woman writer I have ever read has left her mark - so thank you Carolyn Keene, Jane Austin, Laura Ingalls Wilder, L. M. Montgomery, Janet Evanovich, Jane Smiley, Sue Grafton, the Bronte' sisters, Sharon Old, Nora Roberts, and hundreds more.

I applaud you all, young, old, weak and strong. Thank you for being you.

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 343rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

Murder Mystery at Greenfield

This weekend, Greenfield hosted a murder mystery theater. It originally was scheduled for Valentine's weekend, but we had two feet of snow so it was postponed.

The play was called 'Til Death Do Us Part and was performed by Haebo Productions. This is a group out of the New River Valley. Cast members for this performance were Brandon Duncan, Ian Gammarino, Hannah Tucker, AJ Douglas, Desiree Swindell, Matthew Ridley, Susy Schuman, Elias Sarver-Wolfe, Andy Bowyer, Kaleigh Bowyer, Jeff McCoy,Tucker Miller, Zach Helms, and Jessi Belzer.

 

The crowd on one side of the theater. I mean, wedding guests. We were all included as part of the production.

The stage.

 

 

Cassandra Dove, director of Greenfield Education & Training Center, gave the welcoming opening.

 

The groom, Kyle, and his recently-met bride, Jenna.

 

The bride's father proposes a toast. 

 

The groom's mother (far left) was not happy with the nuptials.

 

Kyle's old friend Mary was not happy with the proceedings, either.

 

Kyle's not-so-bright sister on the far left.

 

One of the coolest things: The minister was pulled from the audience, and was Anita Chocklett, a worker at the Greenfield Education Center, and a friend. She did a most excellent job as the impromptu minister! Maybe theater is in her blood.

 

 

Oops. Detective Frank Missle comes in to investigate an off-screen murder. Everybody on the floor!

 

The groom suddenly isn't feeling so well. Oh my. He dies.

Now it's up to the audience to help out Frank Missle and guess the murderer.

I won't reveal who it was. We had a great time. There was a wine tasting by Blue Ridge Vineyards at the event, and there was also food and cupcakes.

Well done, Greenfield! More! More!

Appreciating Teachers

I understand it is National Teacher Appreciate Week. I have always appreciated my teachers. Most were mentors, and I was an unabashed teacher's pet in some of my classes. You know the kind: straight As, quiet, seldom caused trouble. That was me. I had a few teachers who went above and beyond in looking out for me as a person.

Last week I just happened to see two of those special high school teachers.

I had lunch with THE WORLD'S GREATEST MATH TEACHER on Friday.

Tina taught me math for three years. I had her for Algebra I, II, and Trig. I can't remember anything except how to add and subtract, but that's not her fault. At the time I knew how to do it. She was a tough teacher but I loved that about her class. We have stayed in touch for all of these years, and it is wonderful to have such a vibrant and strong woman in my corner.

On Saturday, I bumped into THE WORLD'S GREATEST ENGLISH TEACHER at the Farmer's Market.

Dee taught me sophomore English. I thought she was wonderful even if she did laugh long and hard with me and the rest of class when I once misread the Leaning Tower of Piza as the Leaning Tower of Pizza (it was close to lunch). In my junior and senior years, I would often drop in on her before school or at lunch time simply to say hello and have a chat about whatever was going on. Dee has always been encouraging about my writing, even when I was young and it was crap. I have always appreciated her support.

Dee

Tina

Here they are from my junior yearbook (that would be 1980).

They really haven't changed much, have they?
 
Thank you, great teachers, for being wonderful mentors, strong supporters, and beautiful friends.

Books: Whiskey Beach

Whiskey Beach
By Nora Roberts
Copyright 2013
Audiobook Performed by Peter Berkrot
15 hours, 33 minutes

Nora Roberts has penned an interesting mix of mystery and love story in Whiskey Beach. Eli Landon has spent the last year of life trying to escape a murder charge. He found his estranged wife dead in their home, and everyone was sure he committed the crime.

However, the prosecutors failed to convict. So Eli fled to his wealthy family's mansion, Bluff House, in Whiskey Beach, located somewhere off the coast outside of Boston.

There he meets up with Abra Walsh, a dynamic housekeeper/yoga instructor/massage therapist who changes his life. Then there is a break-in at Bluff House, and another murder. Who is doing these dastardly deeds, and what does a family legend of a long-lost dowry of jewels have to do with it?

Roberts does a great job with her work. The more I read her the better I like her stories.

Hello Gorgeous!

Of course after I discovered my car had an expensive issue, I needed a new vehicle.

So say hello to Gorgeous!

She's a brand new 2014 Toyota Camry SE.

She had 54 miles on her when we made the purchase, all, I suppose, from test drives.

White is actually our preferred color of vehicle, and this is exactly the car I'd planned to purchase - two years or so from now.

She's got a faux leather interior. The storage space is more limited because she's got all of that computer/smart phone gizmos. That's my only complaint. (I don't have a smart phone so I am not sure what to do with all of that stuff. Maybe one day.)

However, I think once I am used to her, and figured out where things go, Gorgeous and I shall have a long and happy life together.

Bye Bye Blue . . .

So the other week when I was feeling bad and in the middle of fighting with the health care system over who would be my primary care doctor, I also had to say farewell to an old friend.

My 2003 Toyota Camry developed an expensive issue, and I had to tell her goodbye. I loved that car. But when the fix costs more than the vehicle would trade for, it is time to say farewell.

I drove her in rain, sleet, and snow, and she never failed to get me where I wanted to go.

She had 125,000 miles on her.

I listened to several hundred books on her CD player.

I loved the sound of her engine when I sped down the highway.

Even with some age on her, she still glistened.

Her interior was nice and roomy, too. Lots of storage space. But she's lost to me now.

It's so sad . . .

One Sunday Last Summer

From Sunday Stealing

TV Meme, part two
(You can read part one here, if you're so inclined)

16. Talk Shows. Do you watch daytime talk TV? If so, do you prefer the calm shows like Oprah or the wilder side like Jerry Springer?

A. Generally I never turn the TV on during the day unless I am ill. Occasionally I catch Ellen but it's infrequently - like three times a year.
 
17. Which daytime talk TV show would you like to be on? What would the topic be?

A. Oprah doesn't exist anymore, but I would have liked to have written a book and been one of the authors chosen for her book club and her show.
 
18. Before talk TV took over, game shows ruled the airways during the day. Which do you prefer? Or are you a soap opera fan?

A. I have no preference. I seldom watched soap operas, and for a long time I worked during the day anyway. Even when I switched to working from home, 22 years ago now, I made it a rule not to watch TV during the day so I would work instead.
 
19. Is there a game show (past or present) you think you would do really well on, as a contestant?

A. Jeopardy. I'm no Ken Jennings but I might do better than dead last.
 
20. Who is your favorite game show host? Who is your least favorite?

A. I don't watch anything but Jeopardy, so I will have to say Alex Trebek. I don't have a least favorite.
 
21. Marathons. Have you watched any TV marathons? In part? In whole? Is there a show you’d like to see run an all day marathon? On the flipside is there a show you’d avoid in marathon?

A. If you count DVDs as marathons, then I have watched these shows as marathons: Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cagney & Lacey, Hunter, Charlie's Angels (original series) and Star Trek: Voyager. Also the three movies that make up The Lord of the Rings might count as marathons since they show on TV now. Shows I might watch as marathons would include Star Trek (any of them), Babylon 5, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, The Beastmaster, The Lost World, The Cosby Show, The Golden Girls, The Band of Brothers, Six Feet Under, The Newsroom, Masters of Sex, Little House on the Prairie, and older comedies like The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, I Love Lucy, and Andy Griffith. Any show I am not familiar with would not be a candidate for a marathon.
    
22. Out of curiosity, what’s the longest you’ve ever watched TV in one stretch?

A. Probably that one Sunday last summer when I watched the extended version of every single Lord of the Rings movie at one sitting. (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Lord of the Rings.) I think that adds up to about 12+ hours. In my defense, I was recovering from surgery.

23. On the whole do you feel most Special Reports are really that special? Or are they simply annoying? What special report has affected you most? (IE: (9/11, Reagan being shot…etc).

A. The attack on the World Trade Center, 9/11, would have to be foremost as far as how it affected me. I went numb, I think. I saw the second plane hit and the towers collapse in real time on TV because we were watching the special report on CBS at the place I was working at the time. That fact alone, that it was happening live as I watched, made a dramatic impact on me and I think most of the nation. Usually with special reports you're seeing replays and that gives you a little distance. But millions saw that as it happened. Plus, 343 firefighters lost their lives that day, and that is my husband's profession. I knew when the towers crumbled who was inside.

That would be closely followed by the news of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in April 2007. The university is only an hour up the road from me. I had friends with children at the school at the time; one has a son who lost his girlfriend in that shooting. Thirty-two people died in that tragic incident. Local friends of mine at the newspaper and TV stations had to report on it. I felt for them, watching them wind their way through that ordeal. It leaves a mark.

And then there was the news about the shootings at Sandy Hook in 2012, with all of those young children dying tragically for no reason other than yet another failure of our health and mental health care systems. I cried for a long time as the reports came in.

24. What is the (pick one: stupidest, saddest, silliest, most disgusting..) thing you’ve ever seen on TV?

A. South Park qualifies for all those titles.
 
25. What’s your fondest memory of something on TV?

A. This is so unlike me, but when Prince Charles and Diana married, my mother was totally enamored by the whole affair. I took the time to watch the nuptials with her, though she was at her house and I was at mine, and we talked on the phone about what we were seeing. I didn't give a whit about the Royal Couple but I am glad I took the time to share that with my mother. And then I also shared Princess Di's death with her in the same way.
 
26. What’s the first show you remember watching regularly?

A. Land of the Giants. My love of SF and fantasy began early. This show aired in 1968 and I would have been five years old. I remember vividly being upset because we were going to the circus on the same night as Land of the Giants aired and I didn't want to go because I would miss the show.

I was also a big fan of Dark Shadows, which debuted in 1966. It could have been my first "must see TV" but I would have only been three years old then, and I have no memory of it until about 1969.
 
27. What shows would make up a perfect night of TV viewing for you?

A. Currently it would be nice to being about 7 p.m. with Bill Maher, followed by Cosmos, then Game of Thrones. That's about all the TV I can handle in an evening.
 
28. You get to create one show to put on the schedule, with any stars you choose. Who and what would it be?

A. I would create a fantasy series about a woman with some kind of super power. A younger Sandra Bullock would star. I am not familiar enough with the current young stars to name someone else.
 
29. Canceling or Not. What show(s) would you cancel without a moment’s hesitation? Is there a show (previously canceled or just no longer airing) that you’d bring back, original cast and all?

A. I don't like horror so any of those shows can be cancelled as far as I'm concerned. (Game of Thrones is treading on horror and I may have to stop watching it.) I never got into True Blood or Walking Dead or similar shows. If I could bring back Xena: Warrior Princess I would do that and give it the ending it deserved instead of the one it had. Worst final show ever.
 
30. What’s the best series finale you remember?

A. The final six minutes of Six Feet Under. I think it was the perfect ending. You can see it here.

I Expect to Die Here

Saturday 9: Blues in the Night (1952)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Was last night a good night for you? Or were you singing the blues?

A. I only sing the blues when things are really, really bad. When someone's done put the hurtin' on me so hard and deep that my thoughts are shriekin' like the winds of Oklahoma. So last night was a good night. No shriekin'.

2) In this song, Rosemary Clooney sings about hearing "big talk" she didn't quite believe. What's the last fib, tall tale or out and out lie you heard?

A. I attended a Board of Supervisors meeting recently for my work. They are the leaders of our county. Lots of hot air blowing through that room, let me tell you. ::wink::

3) Rosemary Clooney has a well-known nephew -- George, the Oscar winner and frequent People magazine cover story. Do you have any nieces or nephews?

A. I have four nephews and a niece.

My other two nephews

2 nephews
&
the niece



Me and my guy

4) Ms. Clooney married the same man twice. They married, had five children and divorced. Then three years later, they tried again ... and divorced again. Have you ever been tempted to give it another try with one of your former loves?

A. My "former loves" would have all been school crushes, so no. I am in it for the long hall with the fellow I am with now. He's a good guy and I couldn't ask for any better.

5) Singers as diverse as Linda Ronstadt, Bette Midler and Amy Winehouse have said they admired and were influenced by Rosemary Clooney. If you could meet any artist (singer, writer, actor, director, painter, musician ...), who would it be?

A. Les Paul. He invented the solid-body electric guitar, basically, and was a great guitar player. His name is legion amongst guitar pickers.

6) 1952, the year this record was a hit, is also the year the "Big Bang Theory" was introduced by physicists Ralph Alpher and George Gamow. That is too lofty a topic for this humble meme, so instead we'll just ask: Do you watch the TV show of the same name? 

A. I do indeed watch The Big Bang Theory. I identify just a little too much with Sheldon, I fear.

7) Sam Winters just broke her right thumbnail. While she won't go so far as saying it has her singing the blues, she must admit it bugs her. What little annoyances are you dealing with today?

A. I had to clean out my refrigerator so my husband could haul the trash to the landfill. I am in a lot of pain (not related to cleaning out the refrigerator), which is not a little annoyance but a major life issue. However, it is still something I am having to deal with. I also received bills in the mail. What's up with that?

8) The house next door to Sam's has a FOR SALE on the lawn. Are you contemplating a move?

A. I have lived in the house that we built with our own two little hands for 27 years. I expect to die here. So unless they're coming for me with a coffin much more quickly than I expect, I have no plans to move.

9) What's your search engine of choice: Google, Bing, Yahoo or Ask?

A. Bing. I gave up on Google some years ago when I realized all I was getting back was advertisements. Sometimes I use the others but only if I am looking for something odd. I think search engines brought back more relevant information in their early days than they do now. Back before things became evil.

Alien Writing in the Rye Field

Recent winds and rains left eerie patterns in a nearby rye field. Almost like crop circles. Or maybe somebody is trying to tell us something.

Three On Thursday

Three on Thursday

Oh boy, a new meme!


1. Other than sleep and eat, what is your favorite thing to do?

A. I like to write, read, and be with my husband. I also enjoy photography, looking out the window, daydreaming, video games, and playing the guitar.

2. What are you thoughts about Health Care?

A. The Affordable Care Act was a gift to the health insurance companies and big business, and ultimately did nothing for us poor sots who live in this nation. It did not go far enough; I wanted the single payer option and something more along the lines of what England had (before they started to dismantle it to be like us). Our health care on the whole is a joke; our system is in distress and is beyond contempt. We let people die when we could save them, we allow hospitals to run people from their homes over unpaid bills, and we spend time and effort on the "disease of the day" instead of looking for wellness cures to our myriad of ills. We desperately need properly trained dieticians and nutritionists, more physical therapists, better mental health care, and more primary care physicians. We need to take the money out of medicine. It should be about people's needs, not people's greed.

3. Who would you say is your celebrity look-a-like? (feel free to post side by side comparison)

A. To the best of my knowledge, I don't have one.

Thursday Thirteen

Estate planning is something that everyone should do, but the majority do not. It's an important part of being a grown-up and taking care of responsibilities.

Even if you think you have few assets, you probably should have at the least a will, a power of attorney, and an advanced medical directive. There are other documents that might benefit you in your particular circumstance.

Here are 13 reasons to do estate planning:

1. If you do not leave a will, then your assets go to your next of kin as defined by your state laws. Maybe these aren't the people you want to have your things.

2. You may want to leave specific burial/cremation/disposal instructions. Maybe you want to leave your body to science. You need to write that down someplace.

3. We all, every single one of us, are at risk of being in an accident, having a stroke, or incurring some other debilitating issue that would leave us unable to make decisions about our personal well-being and that of our family. Documents outlining who gets to make those decisions in your stead are helpful.

4. Maybe you have a disabled relative or family member who needs ongoing care. A will can provide a trust for them to ensure that they are properly cared for.

5. A will would ensure that your family members would not fight over who gets what.

6. Wills and other documents can cut down on various fees, such as probate taxes, bonds on your executors, or other costs, if you waive them in the documents (varies by state).

7. You can make sure that your cousin or nephew gets the prized deer head or piece of jewelry or whatever it is you want to leave him/her.

8. Estate documents can protect children from previous marriages.

9. You can establish trusts for your children or young relatives so that they can't throw the money away. You can request that the money be used only for education, for example, or to purchase a home.

10. These documents discourage challenges to your wishes when done correctly.

11. Advanced directives allow the doctors to turn off the life support, or to keep you on it if you want to lie there and be a vegetable until they come up with a cure for whatever ails you.

12. Another type of "estate planning" that might not be so obvious would be an autobiography or some other story of your life. These documents might pass along your moral code, for example. Some of these are called ethical wills. While not legally binding, this document could preserve your story for you.

13. If you have children under the age of majority, you can name a guardian. Otherwise your children become wards of the state in the event both parents die.

Honestly, having these documents created is one of the most important things a person can do. Numerous websites explain how to do it and you can do it yourself if you wish, using forms. I've even seen the forms at office supply stores. You would need to take them to a notary for signature and usually they require additional witnesses, but most banks can take care of this for you for a nominal fee. It is best to have an attorney draw things up and take care of the documents for you but it is not necessary; the law will recognize a totally handwritten will, too, for that matter.

If you haven't taken care of this very important business, I urge you to begin working on it soon. You never know what the world has in store for us, and it's always better to be prepared.



Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 342nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

When Words Fail . . .

Post pictures of cows.

Put the Love Back

It will surprise no one that my Tuesday rant today will talk about the health business.

I'm not talking specifics, I'm talking about the state of the whole affair. Because our "health care" is no longer about HEALTH CARE. It's about money.

Anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves. Of course there are individual doctors out there who care very much about their patients, and who are working diligently to help. But they also see that the system is broken. I know this because some of them have told me so. That's one of the good things about being a reporter; you hear stuff. I know how to ask the right questions.

Wellness models would work much better, and that is what we should be working towards. We need more dieticians, nutritionists, and mental health therapists. We need folks who make calls and check up on people.

We need to put the love back in the system, and take out the greed.

I have tried many different ways to take care of myself. Some of those are non-western medicinal modes, such as acupuncture, Reiki, and Tai-Chi. I also like physical therapy (western style) and chiropractic care as healing modalities. I have found some benefit from all of them at various times. I prefer all of these to a traditional doctor's visit at a big facility (I do like my independent and feisty primary care doctor). However, western medicine has its place and can be useful. You can't heal a broken leg with acupuncture, after all, though you can certainly help it heal better.

The problem is, those types of healing modalities aren't quick fixes. We all want to be better in the next minute. We can't miss a day of work, after all (gosh, there's that money thing again). Hence the "pop a pill" mentality. Or the "blast it with chemo" mentality. Sure, these might work, but I have to wonder at what cost - not monetarily, but health-wise. What are we doing to ourselves?

I think diet changes would fix a lot of health problems, not just for me, but for the large majority of the population. If we have to have a nanny state to bring people back to good health, I don't have a problem with that. Outlaw big milkshakes and force the food suppliers to come up with safe ways to preserve products. Make sure every single additive in a food source has been tested, and not by the company that wants to use it, but by an independent laboratory. Our food should not be poison. I suspect a lot of it is.

When I was having a major surgery a year there for six years, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I found the best health care came not from the actual surgery, but from the healing hands of the nurses who soothed my brow and encouraged me to get out of bed by holding my hand, putting an arm around me, or gently touching my knee on their way out the door.

Touch is, I think, one of the most underrated healing modalities out there. We all need more of it. Go get a massage!

I am quite concerned by the lack of follow-up from western medicinal facilities. I have a friend with breast cancer who stopped going to her oncologist and switched her care to her breast surgeon (the oncologist office made her cry every time!). But the oncologist's office never once bothered to call and see if she was okay, if she was receiving treatment, etc. I know people have the right to refuse care, even to chose to die from what is ailing them, but somebody ought to at least make a phone call.

This cold callousness is going to be the death knell of the health business in the U.S. I predict people will turn more and more to alternative methods - and unfortunately to some of the quackery things that were predominate in the 19th and early 20th century (which will only make things worse) - if the health business in the US doesn't actually become true HEALTH CARE.*



*This has absolutely nothing to do with the Affordable Health Care Act. Health care had become a health business long before that became law. Just so you know.*