Point, Counter-Point

2-17-12 this and that brain

There is excitement here in Des Moines, Iowa…. More than most people would expect from this “small rural state”.

As you can see in the picture from the DM Newspaper yesterday, it’s February... and that means the State Wrestling Tournaments are in town! !…… AND.... oh yea, some guy from China is visiting.

What was even more exciting than the VP from China in Des Moines on Wednesday night was the 400 up to 600 Tibbetian protesters which came in on buses and walked the streets of downtown Des Moines.

Other exciting news- I discovered on my walk at lunch yesterday that the daffodils are pushing up in my south front garden. 

Side BAR: 

Now I probably should keep my mouth shut, because I haven’t paid much attention last week to the whole contraceptive debate….. why not? Well here in Iowa this issue was taken care of in 2000, when the *“Iowa Legislature required employers that cover benefits for outpatient drugs, to also cover contraception”  (*info from DM Register) … and the Iowa law did not exempt religious institutions from the requirement. The vote at that time in 2000 was 85-12 in the Iowa House: and 44-4 in the Iowa Senate. Governor Vilsack signed it into law.

So who is making this a big deal now?.... well of course it IS an election year. The question on NPR asked: Is Obama the master chess player or is his the pawn? Of course Rush Limbaugh this week said this controversy was brought up by Obama to make the GOP look negative. Personally, I thought it was Rick Santorum who talks about these types of topics.

Who knows, who cares….. ?  But it does illustrate how pathetic the whole Health Insurance Industry is delivered here in the US. Why is it that our employers are even providing this insurance, since they don’t have their fingers in our home-owners’ insurance or car insurance, now do they?….

Maybe it is time employers shouldn’t pick the health insurance which we purchase.  Of course people don’t want the government telling us what to do, and others don’t want churches telling us want to do. So that just leaves us on our own to decide what health insurance we want. And I’d be OK with that, as long as everyone picks something…. Or they choose to never go to the doctor or hospital, or if they do, they have to pay it out of their own pocket. After all, currently we ARE paying for everyone who doesn’t have health insurance… either with our taxes, or with our higher insurance premiums.

Wednesday GUEST blog

2-15-12 vacant brain
Watch out, my friend Ann, in the blue hair, is on a bit of a rant this week. I think I will just keep my mouth shut this time. ~Judy

Headline News: The Beat Goes On n’ Yes, The War Continues

What a week in music and another date to remember “where I was”.

Another pop icon died way too early. The queen of pop music, the diva of all divas died on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Oh how I loved Ms. Whitney, her music n’ movies and I remember going to see her at Hilton in Ames, April 24, 1991. Her show was awesome. Rest in peace Whitney, and I’ll pray that the world remembers her gift of music and forget her demons.  (Sunday) while watching the Grammy’s, the artists will do their best to carry on, celebrate their accomplishments and send Ms. Whitney off to the Angels in style.

On Feb. 11^th at 6 pm, here I was in the sweatshop, sewing mittens when the news came on, CNN breaking the news then I went to my twitter feed. Shocking!

On Thursday, June 25, 2009, I was walking into the Stoney Creek Inn in Sioux City when I heard the news of Michael Jackson’s death in Ca. Geraldo Rivera was breaking the news.

On Saturday, August 31, 1997 at about 10 pm CST, the news broke on the TV that Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris, France. I was more than shocked, I watched the news all night and I may have saved the USA paper. She was a beautiful lady who left a great legacy for the world and her boys.

Before Diana, there was Elvis Presley, August 16^th 1977. There we were, camping in Ocean City, eating breakfast about 10 am’ish and the news broke on the radio. We were all shocked! ….. 1977 was the year I graduated high school, started community college, left home and joined the Air Force …… so much in six months.

Last but not least, the law on contraceptives. From what I’ve read and heard, a requirement of Obamacare going into effect next year – all employers must provide contraceptive care and medications at no cost to women. On paper, I have a hard time understanding that the government can mandate types of coverage paid by employers, with a few exceptions to religious affiliations. Then last week, Dept of HHS announced that there will be no exceptions for religious affiliations (churches/schools/hospitals). Immediately after the announcement by HHS, the backlash came immediately, from not just the right but some on the left. Then a week later, the President came out and said something like this “we will not require religious employers to provide contraceptive care, the insurance companies will be covering it at no charge.”

Several questions comes to mind, where are they getting coverage today? I’m sure they figured out that if it’s not covered, they pay for it or go the local health clinic or county health clinic or that place called Planned Parenthood. Or perhaps, the President could of forced the pharmacies to provide it free of charge. Lastly, coverage is coverage, at the end of the day, employers are paying for the services through premiums.

Ladies, please tell me you weren’t waiting for the government to mandate a law for contraceptive coverage? Tell me you are smarter than they are? Tell me you can make your own decisions on where to get services?

Geez …  first the toilet, then the light bulb, then how much salt and sugar to eat and now, telling religious affiliates that their moral beliefs are not important and they .. big government … knows best. What happened to “separation of church and sate?”

Chat Later
That Girl, Ann Marie

Who are these two?

2-14-12 loving brain

It's Valentines Day, how can I not post and wish my sweetheart a happy day.... 

 I was staring at this picture last night and I found myself asking- who are these two people? I barely recognize them!

......also want to wish all my family and friends a happy day too! I did manage to get a few Valentines sent out this year, but then stalled mid-stream when I got busy this last weekend..... so sorry not all of you received one.

A special VD to Vivian and Clyde AND Lori and Tim who have wedding anniversaries to celebrate.

Also Vivian and Annika have birthdays tomorrow.

Musical Weekend

2-12-12 singing brain

One morning last week, maybe Friday, I found a surprise on my door step. Along with the morning paper, there were at least half dozen old Olivia Newton John albums. Of course I knew right away, someone is remembering my need of old record albums to create my large Peace Art. I’m suspecting Carolyn, since she goes to work early and I think she had told me sometime back that her sister had some old records which were going to be cleaned out.

This music on my door step was a good way to kick off a “musical” weekend.

Friday night Greg and I ventured out into to the cold Iowa night and met up with our friends Ann and Roy downtown. An old bar, “Blues on Grand” had recently been re-done and now called the “Gas Lamp”…. And there was a band playing this weekend which covered Beatles music. Roy, who strums a guitar from time to time, was particularly interested, so the rest of us went along with the idea.

It actually was fun stepping out of my 50 something box…. And going someplace new to listen to old music….. and stayed up past my usual reasonable bedtime….. and I had fun. AND happy to report I wasn't the oldest person there. 

Also this weekend our friend Mike who works one afternoon being a DJ at the locally owned alternative radio station was telling Greg and I about a class which was allowed to listen to his show on Friday afternoons during their reading time. Mike plays all types of cool music from blues, jazz, …. I can’t even begin to describe the mix of sounds he is into. Anyway, Mike had been contacted by this teacher of this class who told him the class has an autistic boy who doesn’t talk and sits with his head down all day…. BUT now on Friday afternoons, during reading time which includes Mike’s radio music…. This autistic boy comes to life and starts smiling and dancing and at the end of the hour the whole class gets up to join him dancing.

This story moved me, and shows the power of music in our live, touching deep into our soul, which we can easily take for granted.  I think about this from time to time…. Remembering how my life use to have a sound track that went along with it…. and now, when I hear those certain songs from the past, I can be transported back, usually with a smile on my face.

I was feeling sad that I didn’t have a current sound track to my life. I’m either not taking the time to listen to music since I tend to be in an NPR talk radio phase of life and/or I am not keeping up with new music enough to have any music punctuate my daily life, able to create future memories.

However, there is one exception. Molly, a month or so ago, when I was riding in her car, was playing a CD by Adele called “21”. I liked it- (now LOVE IT)… so I bought it…. and I have been playing this A LOT.  

Tonight, the Peace Sisters will be gathering to watch the Grammys together. Ann keeps up with all the current music and I rely on her to keep me partially in the music loop. Her favorite is Maroon 5. At least I will know and appreciate who Adele is now while we watch the Grammys….. and I also am looking forward to see my old very favorite Bruce Springsteen who is suppose to perform tonight.

Then came the sad news this weekend of the death of Whitney Houston….one less beautiful voice on earth, one more singing in heaven.

Music is a GIFT.... and I must remember to keep it in my life daily!

TGIF

2-10-12

I am enjoyed by mini blog sabbatical this month. It’s been nice not having to force myself to write something everyday, especially when nothing out of the ordinary has been happening.

This week, Iowa has returned to winter, but still who can really complain about temperatures in the 30’s. I’m really starting to notice the longer daylight hours, since it is still light out now past 5:30PM. To me, that is a sign of spring!

Last week in KC when I was being spoiled with mild temperature in the 50’s and 60’s, I started walking during my lunch break. I found this to be very therapeutic and a brisk walked helped lower my stress and I was able to have very productive afternoons after taking this mid day break.

I’ve tried to continue this and make this my new habit this week….. and I’m happy to say I did bundle up with hat, scarf and winter coat…. And I did walk most days this week.

AND..... I have been eating pretty healthy. Here is example- I've been using my mini crock-pot. This might look like soup, but once you drain off the liquid, there is a cooked chicken breast with a yam, wild rice with cranberries and pumpkin seeds.

Greg is coming to DM this weekend, so I am happy about that. We’ll see what fun we can scrape up here in the small city, compared to our times spent in KC (4 times bigger that DM).

Wednesday GUEST Blog

2-8-12 thinking brain
I woke up one morning last week thinking that the Universe doesn't gives us what we want, but is wise and gives us what we need. The challenge is to embrace this and believe that it is the truth. Below, Ann's been having some thoughts as well. ~Judy 

Just Chatting ……………..

Yep, been busy with this and that … and in no particular importance, here’s what’s on my mind.

Week four of healthy habit- walking daily, drinking lots of water and NO carbonated beverages in a month. Resulting in, feet and knees hurting and I am feeling my age.

The weather, simply fantastic! Last week while in Davenport, I took a walk along the Mississippi River and I marveled at the ducks sunning themselves and the fisherman fishing above the lock n’ dam. Nothing better to look at on a sunny day.

            

In lieu of garage sales, I’ve found myself shopping at the Goodwill and Salvation Army, looking for wool sweaters and clothes with big buttons (more on project woolly later). I have a set routine visiting three Salvation stores weekly and The Goodwill on Sunday ($1.29 day). Other than the sweaters, I have found a few gems like corning ware, Pyrex dishes, china plates and lucky me found a like new Longaberger 2 quart pitcher for under $5 bucks. What a steal of a deal. I also found a nice cookbook today. Somebody …. Stop me!

While driving my car last week to Davenport, I stumbled upon my sat-el-lite radio, dang, I feel dumb ……. Not knowing I could listen to CNN/MSNBC/FNC all this time.

Music, music is in my blood and I loved the halftime show with Madonna, CeLo Green and Company. I’m excited for the new singing shows like The Voice, American Idol and a show called Smash.

Last weekend, on The Sunday Morning CBS show, great story on King Edward and Simpson Wallace and the Typewriter is making a comeback. I think I might have my Brother electric typewriter somewhere. I’m sure Judy has a manual one tucked under her bed … haha hehe Judy. Oh how I love Sunday mornings … Fox n’ Friends then The CBS Sunday show, which always gets me back to things I did with Dad. Seems like there’s not a day, show, something in the mail that gets my mind thinking and wondering, if only.

Chat Later
That Girl, Ann Marie

Winter can be beautiful!

2-7-12 wordless brain