I felt compelled to write this post, simply because my experience is probably one of many. We need to combat the negativity about Obamacare!
There is a LOT of disinformation out there, so any time a person can relate a good example of how Obamacare is helping them, it will help others understand better.
I'm a widow, and have struggled for the past 7 years to keep insurance (freelance writer and also have pension/SS). I'm willing and able to pay for insurance, but due to pre-existing conditions I've had a 7 year struggle.
I had Cobra 3 years (500+ a month, but good coverage); then I went to the pre-existing state plan (500+ a month, 5,000 deductible, went up every year on my birthday -- by now I'd be paying in excess of a 1,000 each month). Lastly, I had the government pre-existing insurance, 350.00 a month with 2,000 deductible.
And starting in January I'll have good, affordable insurance which I bought on the exchange. I used the 800 number, probably took less than 30 minutes to get signed up. Got my Blue Cross insurance card within a week. Paid the first premium today, 555.00 a month BUT only 100.00 deductible and pays 90% of medical bills! I'm willing to pay that, since I have pre-existing problems that need attention (back/spine/knees). Not unhealthy, except arthritis and orthopedic issues from exercising in the past -- running, biking, walking. I am not overweight, never smoked.
At any rate, I'm very, very pleased with Obamacare. He made a statement in the news yesterday which was a relief: "Obamacare will not be repealed for the next 3 years while I'm president, and I'll do everything I can to make it work." In 3 years, I'll be eligible for medicare.
It's been a tough, rough road to keep health care insurance, and in my case, I didn't want to lose everything my late husband & I worked hard and saved for all our lives to medical bills. Even the roof over your head can be taken if you have excessive medical bills (at least in Alabama, but some states can't take your home). We paid our home off when I was 35, due to my work at the newspaper and a small inheritance from my paternal grandmother.
That's my story, and I'm sure there are many others out there like me -- small business owners, self-employed, freelancers, part-time people. And the less income you make the higher the subsidy. If you live in a state that agreed to accept the federal funds for medicaid it's likely low income people will qualify. In Alabama our "so-called doctor" governor chose to refuse the funds, as well as ignore his medical oath: "First, do no harm." The federal funds would have created jobs, helped hospitals get bills paid (many just don't pay, have no property to lose), and also expanded the amount for those qualifying.
I hope that this post will encourage others to at least give Obamacare a chance, and don't judge until enough time has passed for the problems to be smoothed out. Rarely are any kind of online applications perfect when first online; it takes time to work out the glitches.
I urge you to give the exchange a try, as well as looking into medicaid if your income is low enough to qualify.
My Novels
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Interview online about my novel
Been a while since I've posted, and this may be short but I wanted to share a link to a great website that interviews and promotes independent authors.
Indie Author Land
(There's also a badge/link in the right sidebar -- really a great place to find free & discounted ebooks, as well as wonderful for attracting readers for authors.)
And today my interview there about "Season of the Serpent" is online. Here's a link to that:
Interview "Season of the Serpent"
It's been a tough few weeks due to my back/knee issues. I have to lie down and rest between chores and/or housecleaning. I'm looking for someone to hire -- help with pet care (dog walking) and housecleaning. If I find someone they will have to be pet lovers. And also spend time getting acquainted with my dogs and cats.
I'm finally getting some outside maintenance work done. Yesterday the worker set new posts and replaced fence panels. Tomorrow he will start painting; first, the back porch in early morning. I'm boarding Rambo & Oscar at the vet overnight due to them running in and out the doggie door that goes to the back porch. The following late afternoon should be long enough for the paint to dry. Also having the foundation and front porch/steps painted. I'm impressed with the young guy doing the job. I told him if I'm pleased with his work, I'll be calling him again.
What else? Still working on editing/formatting past novels; need to do "Dead Right" next, and then get busy on the other two novels yet to be posted.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to access the new government exchange website for our medical insurance. I'm very anxious to find out the cost of any coverage; I desperately need good insurance because of my back and knee problems. Right now I'm just in limbo, having to endure the pain at least until next January.
I don't know why some people don't understand how important health care is, and especially whether you can pay for it in this country. If you can't pay, and own anything whatsoever, you may lose it to bankruptcy if you get seriously ill. The hope is that the new ACA law will remedy that, and end discriminating against those who have pre-existing conditions. I'm several years away from medicare, have a good income, and couldn't work even if I could find a job with insurance benefits. Health care is the number one thing in most lives, whether they realize it or not if they've never been sick or injured. I wish I could magically give every body in this country the gift of empathy and compassion. Alas, can never, ever do that.
Before I rant too much, I just want to urge anyone interested in Southern Gothic stories to read my interview, and perhaps buy the novel; it's only $1.00, or can be borrowed free if you have Amazon Prime.
With that, I'm out of here for today.
Indie Author Land
(There's also a badge/link in the right sidebar -- really a great place to find free & discounted ebooks, as well as wonderful for attracting readers for authors.)
And today my interview there about "Season of the Serpent" is online. Here's a link to that:
Interview "Season of the Serpent"
It's been a tough few weeks due to my back/knee issues. I have to lie down and rest between chores and/or housecleaning. I'm looking for someone to hire -- help with pet care (dog walking) and housecleaning. If I find someone they will have to be pet lovers. And also spend time getting acquainted with my dogs and cats.
I'm finally getting some outside maintenance work done. Yesterday the worker set new posts and replaced fence panels. Tomorrow he will start painting; first, the back porch in early morning. I'm boarding Rambo & Oscar at the vet overnight due to them running in and out the doggie door that goes to the back porch. The following late afternoon should be long enough for the paint to dry. Also having the foundation and front porch/steps painted. I'm impressed with the young guy doing the job. I told him if I'm pleased with his work, I'll be calling him again.
What else? Still working on editing/formatting past novels; need to do "Dead Right" next, and then get busy on the other two novels yet to be posted.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to access the new government exchange website for our medical insurance. I'm very anxious to find out the cost of any coverage; I desperately need good insurance because of my back and knee problems. Right now I'm just in limbo, having to endure the pain at least until next January.
I don't know why some people don't understand how important health care is, and especially whether you can pay for it in this country. If you can't pay, and own anything whatsoever, you may lose it to bankruptcy if you get seriously ill. The hope is that the new ACA law will remedy that, and end discriminating against those who have pre-existing conditions. I'm several years away from medicare, have a good income, and couldn't work even if I could find a job with insurance benefits. Health care is the number one thing in most lives, whether they realize it or not if they've never been sick or injured. I wish I could magically give every body in this country the gift of empathy and compassion. Alas, can never, ever do that.
Before I rant too much, I just want to urge anyone interested in Southern Gothic stories to read my interview, and perhaps buy the novel; it's only $1.00, or can be borrowed free if you have Amazon Prime.
With that, I'm out of here for today.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Disturbing dog incident at Walmart
Usually I liked to go to Walmart on Sunday morning since it is the least crowded until the "church crowd" arrives -- sometimes after their lunch -- around 1:00. Today was the dreaded day; I loathe going to Walmart, but occasionally it is necessary because of certain items I need and only sold there.
At any rate, no matter how few customers, by the time I get to check-out, there's always a line. I also dawdle around, looking at stuff I don't need simply because it's available. And too, the store is so huge just walking to different sections located front, middle or back can take a while to maneuver.
I write this to explain why a visit to Walmart will invariably take far longer than you expect, even if you are determined to buy only a few items.
And it was that way today, but I finally hit the door and as soon as I stepped out into the hot day, I heard a small dog barking. While I put my stuff in the hatchback, the dog kept barking; I could tell it was not far from where I was parked. Therefore, as soon as I got everything unloaded, I drove over to the section where the dog was barking. As I feared, the dog was alone in a vehicle -- a battered 70s red pickup. The windows were cracked, but the dog (a tiny Yorkie) was barking avidly to the point it looked near heat exhaustion. Though it was not panting yet, I could see it wouldn't be long before the intense heat sickened the dog.
I pulled over to ask a couple of young boys from another vehicle if they were in the red pickup, both said no. Then I asked if they thought the dog would be okay, and both said yes, due to cross ventilation. I wasn't sure about that.
On the way home, I became more and more upset (live less than 10 minutes away). The minute I stepped in the house, I picked up the phone (had forgotten to take my cell with me) and called Walmart. I asked the lady if they could make an announcement over the intercom for the owners to take care of the dog. She said they were not allowed to do that. Next, I called the city police, described the vehicle, gave them the information and the dispatcher said she'd have a car out there soon.
After I unpacked all my stuff, I noticed I'd left one bag at the Walmart checkout. Crap!
I had to return, but it was just as well, since I could see what was happening with the dog: I got behind the animal control vehicle in the parking lot. A city police car was parked by the red pickup, and an officer was holding the Yorkie. A young woman was gesturing, looked angry (and that's why I didn't try to intervene myself, never can tell what a dog owner's reaction will be). I assume the dog will be taken to the animal shelter, and the owner will have to pay a fee to get it back. Or if the owner doesn't, then it will be put in the care of one of our two rescue groups, available for adoption. Or if the owner is lucky, they might just get a warning.
PEOPLE, HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO BE WARNED NOT TO LEAVE A DOG IN A HOT CAR? NOT EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED?!
It upset me terribly to have that experience, but not as badly as it would if I hadn't tried to save the dog. At least I know I got help, and the dog didn't die in that hot car. This is the South, and it is impossible to leave a dog in a car -- fall, winter, spring or summer.
I know the temptation; I've sometimes left the wooded park with my dogs, knowing I needed to pick up a few items somewhere. But no matter how I was tempted, I DID NOT DO IT. There's just no way to know exactly how long I'd be in a store. If there's two people, one of them should take the dog and stand outside the store. If one person, resist the temptation to make a quick stop for anything if you must leave a dog alone in the car -- or don't take the dog along if you have other errands.
In other news, I finally have the novel I've been working on for a few weeks available at Amazon. Click this link to go there, if you're interested: The Haunting of Helen
I have two more novels, another collection of short stories/poetry, essays yet to edit/proof and get online too. That will be all my past work; then I plan to post my memoir as a series -- early childhood (already written); teenage years; young adult (20s); 30s; 40s; 50s through the present. It should keep me busy for a long time. I've noticed continuing series do well on Amazon, as well as selling the entire "box set" of the finished series. My memoir, "Backward Mirror" is really going to be my life...should be interesting to write with a dramatic flair!
Everything here is fine -- dogs thriving, though I only take them to wooded park during the heat of summer. Muffin is a handful, ha!, understatement. But she keeps the other two dogs moving -- loves playing tug-of-war with them, or running around the back yard playing chase. Even Oscar, the 10-year-old doxie, gets in on the action sometimes. Rambo loves to play with her, but even he has his limits. He has a certain bark that lets Muffin know he's had enough, and she respects that, backs off.
With that, I'm out of here for today.
At any rate, no matter how few customers, by the time I get to check-out, there's always a line. I also dawdle around, looking at stuff I don't need simply because it's available. And too, the store is so huge just walking to different sections located front, middle or back can take a while to maneuver.
I write this to explain why a visit to Walmart will invariably take far longer than you expect, even if you are determined to buy only a few items.
And it was that way today, but I finally hit the door and as soon as I stepped out into the hot day, I heard a small dog barking. While I put my stuff in the hatchback, the dog kept barking; I could tell it was not far from where I was parked. Therefore, as soon as I got everything unloaded, I drove over to the section where the dog was barking. As I feared, the dog was alone in a vehicle -- a battered 70s red pickup. The windows were cracked, but the dog (a tiny Yorkie) was barking avidly to the point it looked near heat exhaustion. Though it was not panting yet, I could see it wouldn't be long before the intense heat sickened the dog.
I pulled over to ask a couple of young boys from another vehicle if they were in the red pickup, both said no. Then I asked if they thought the dog would be okay, and both said yes, due to cross ventilation. I wasn't sure about that.
On the way home, I became more and more upset (live less than 10 minutes away). The minute I stepped in the house, I picked up the phone (had forgotten to take my cell with me) and called Walmart. I asked the lady if they could make an announcement over the intercom for the owners to take care of the dog. She said they were not allowed to do that. Next, I called the city police, described the vehicle, gave them the information and the dispatcher said she'd have a car out there soon.
After I unpacked all my stuff, I noticed I'd left one bag at the Walmart checkout. Crap!
I had to return, but it was just as well, since I could see what was happening with the dog: I got behind the animal control vehicle in the parking lot. A city police car was parked by the red pickup, and an officer was holding the Yorkie. A young woman was gesturing, looked angry (and that's why I didn't try to intervene myself, never can tell what a dog owner's reaction will be). I assume the dog will be taken to the animal shelter, and the owner will have to pay a fee to get it back. Or if the owner doesn't, then it will be put in the care of one of our two rescue groups, available for adoption. Or if the owner is lucky, they might just get a warning.
PEOPLE, HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO BE WARNED NOT TO LEAVE A DOG IN A HOT CAR? NOT EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED?!
It upset me terribly to have that experience, but not as badly as it would if I hadn't tried to save the dog. At least I know I got help, and the dog didn't die in that hot car. This is the South, and it is impossible to leave a dog in a car -- fall, winter, spring or summer.
I know the temptation; I've sometimes left the wooded park with my dogs, knowing I needed to pick up a few items somewhere. But no matter how I was tempted, I DID NOT DO IT. There's just no way to know exactly how long I'd be in a store. If there's two people, one of them should take the dog and stand outside the store. If one person, resist the temptation to make a quick stop for anything if you must leave a dog alone in the car -- or don't take the dog along if you have other errands.
In other news, I finally have the novel I've been working on for a few weeks available at Amazon. Click this link to go there, if you're interested: The Haunting of Helen
I have two more novels, another collection of short stories/poetry, essays yet to edit/proof and get online too. That will be all my past work; then I plan to post my memoir as a series -- early childhood (already written); teenage years; young adult (20s); 30s; 40s; 50s through the present. It should keep me busy for a long time. I've noticed continuing series do well on Amazon, as well as selling the entire "box set" of the finished series. My memoir, "Backward Mirror" is really going to be my life...should be interesting to write with a dramatic flair!
Everything here is fine -- dogs thriving, though I only take them to wooded park during the heat of summer. Muffin is a handful, ha!, understatement. But she keeps the other two dogs moving -- loves playing tug-of-war with them, or running around the back yard playing chase. Even Oscar, the 10-year-old doxie, gets in on the action sometimes. Rambo loves to play with her, but even he has his limits. He has a certain bark that lets Muffin know he's had enough, and she respects that, backs off.
With that, I'm out of here for today.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Humor for the day
I've been terribly lazy about posting to my blog. My excuse (and I do have one!) is that I'm working constantly on my past work, getting it all online. I have 3 more novels, a couple books of short stories & essays and then poetry yet to proof/edit/format for the Kindle.
But as the saying goes, "I'm on a mission."
I found this comical gem on the internet and couldn't resist sharing it. If you are in need of a laugh, read on...
A Minnesota couple decided to vacation to Florida during the winter. They planned to stay at the very same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday. His wife would fly down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address, and without realizing his error, he sent the e-mail. Meanwhile.....somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister of many years who was called home to glory following a sudden heart attack. The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:
To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: 16 May 2003
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is not as uneventful as mine was.
P.S. Sure is hot down here!
But as the saying goes, "I'm on a mission."
I found this comical gem on the internet and couldn't resist sharing it. If you are in need of a laugh, read on...
A Minnesota couple decided to vacation to Florida during the winter. They planned to stay at the very same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday. His wife would fly down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address, and without realizing his error, he sent the e-mail. Meanwhile.....somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister of many years who was called home to glory following a sudden heart attack. The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:
To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: 16 May 2003
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is not as uneventful as mine was.
P.S. Sure is hot down here!
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