Sunday, March 14, 2010
Daylight Savings Time
Today...dripping white icing drapes dark green confiers and haunting stick figure trees, budding secretly. Erie opapue orbe penatrates misty wet clouds above a one mile wide diameter of swirling chimneys. Chocolate swirls line Ouray's roads from side to side, planes of white shoot upward above red inbetween, some icicles lined, toward white points surrounding homes encircled below. Hearty souls within await yellow daffodiles popping up in unexpected places none too soon...waiting, just waiting.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Letter to the Editor of Washington Post Mailed 2.21.10
Sent via CREDO to Washington Post on 2/21/2010
Dear Editor:
I support Senator Bennet's support of a public option that Americans can choose for their health insurance. As a health insurance agent for nearly two decades and business owner of two additional business in a resort town on the Western Slope that employ Coloradans, I have a somewhat unique opportunity to engage in conversations with clients and with customers who come from all over the United States and other countries regarding the issue.
Many Americans right here in Colorado risk losing everything they own because they cannot afford health insurance. Personally, my husband and I are paying over $900 per month for a $5000 deductible, a standard group rate, the lowest we can obtain here on the Western Slope. Often small business owners are unable to afford to insure themselves because premiums are so very high. We will likely be considering a public option ourselves because we cannot afford the premiums we are currently paying since our 45% premium increase last October. Many of our friends, both individuals and business owners, are not presently insured either because they cannot afford the premium or because they are uninsurable.
My experience in the health insurance industry is that for-profit health insurance companies are not doing their best to do what is right for the American people as they are driven by top executives who expect top pay scales to run companies that are influenced by large pharmaceutical companies and their strong political lobbies.
Most Americans who enjoy good health insurance benefits are employed by large corporations, and they do not realize the large premiums paid for their insurance. Many of them are now finding out just how much these premiums are when they lose their jobs and have to go on COBRA (acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, federal legislation that governs the operation of group-sponsored health plans of businesses with twenty or more employees). COBRA is not a health plan, it is one's group health insurance premium, enjoyed while employed, with a very small percentage attached for administrative costs, which allows insureds to continue their coverage at their own expense. Before COBRA, upon termination, most employees would lose their health insurance coverage.
This being said, I firmly believe that ALL of our government officials should be on the public option that is decided upon. Taxpayers keep these individuals in office and/or employed. What is good for us MUST be what would be good for them.
Dear Editor:
I support Senator Bennet's support of a public option that Americans can choose for their health insurance. As a health insurance agent for nearly two decades and business owner of two additional business in a resort town on the Western Slope that employ Coloradans, I have a somewhat unique opportunity to engage in conversations with clients and with customers who come from all over the United States and other countries regarding the issue.
Many Americans right here in Colorado risk losing everything they own because they cannot afford health insurance. Personally, my husband and I are paying over $900 per month for a $5000 deductible, a standard group rate, the lowest we can obtain here on the Western Slope. Often small business owners are unable to afford to insure themselves because premiums are so very high. We will likely be considering a public option ourselves because we cannot afford the premiums we are currently paying since our 45% premium increase last October. Many of our friends, both individuals and business owners, are not presently insured either because they cannot afford the premium or because they are uninsurable.
My experience in the health insurance industry is that for-profit health insurance companies are not doing their best to do what is right for the American people as they are driven by top executives who expect top pay scales to run companies that are influenced by large pharmaceutical companies and their strong political lobbies.
Most Americans who enjoy good health insurance benefits are employed by large corporations, and they do not realize the large premiums paid for their insurance. Many of them are now finding out just how much these premiums are when they lose their jobs and have to go on COBRA (acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, federal legislation that governs the operation of group-sponsored health plans of businesses with twenty or more employees). COBRA is not a health plan, it is one's group health insurance premium, enjoyed while employed, with a very small percentage attached for administrative costs, which allows insureds to continue their coverage at their own expense. Before COBRA, upon termination, most employees would lose their health insurance coverage.
This being said, I firmly believe that ALL of our government officials should be on the public option that is decided upon. Taxpayers keep these individuals in office and/or employed. What is good for us MUST be what would be good for them.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Resolutions, Not Revolutions
Deep into the after holidays, preparation for taxes and birthdays for Bruce and me looming in the short distance, spring seems so far away...snowmelt, mud, buds, and the river rushing. Perfect snowy weather greeted us the day before Christmas Eve 2009, celebrated in soreness from shoveling, the same for the perfect New Years Eve here in Ouray. Glorious visions snowy white for the season and then the sun. Sunshine on melted snow the first ten days into 2010 has left dry roads, slippery ice sheets in unexpected places, and brown everywhere. More snow is inevitable and welcome. Let it coat the trees, now bare dark sticks against dark green conifers and dirty white patches.
Speaking of dirty white...Aspen, our golden retriever puppy, grows bigger every day. At nearly five and a half months, curly long doggy hairs show lumpy in all over places. Funny. Sweet white puppy hair coats our house in corners, carpets, and God only knows elsewhere. Our thirteen and a half year OLD cat, Spot, grows fatter and slower in his arthritic way but still puts up a good battle with the "she" puppy who now towers over him, petting him gently--for the most part--with her rather large paws in invitation for affection or another pouncing.
2010 Ouray Ice Festival dwindles to a close. I wonder how Will Gadd feels after 24 hours of climbing in the park, a first, for a fundraiser. Another year has passed, and the festival is a non-event for this writer. Someday... Perhaps I'll voluteer again next year. This year is a step back from practically everything. Tired, always tired these days.
Maui awaits us for a long awaited rest. So much to do before, just 10 ten days away. May difficult times be easier this year and beyond.
Our store, Mountain Fever, is quiet at the moment. May be busy soon as climbers come down from the icy gorge of frozen glory. So beautiful to look at, so fun to climb.
New Years resolutions are goals for me, not to be broken, but to be steps forward into adventures of wisdom and joy.
Need a new journal...buy one, my first written goal. More peace in my life...A Course In Miracles group forming. Reinforcement of my already started readings, to continue through 2010 and beyond, my second goal. Fun, lots of it...more time doing things I love and want to do, including spending more quality time with Bruce, seeing my family more, and hiking with Aspen--my third goal. Letting go...worrying less about the small stuff, being in the moment as much as possible, not so affected by what others may or may not think of me--my fourth goal. Writing...finish revising my novel and beginning another, making the time to write--my fifth goal. More ME time...more days off, doing things I want to do that have feared, and taking lots of "do nothing days" off actually doing NOTHING!
The only way to have peace in life and the world is to be in peace in the world. The swords that must be laid down begins with me...my sixth goal. Forgiveness, loving...real peace.
Speaking of dirty white...Aspen, our golden retriever puppy, grows bigger every day. At nearly five and a half months, curly long doggy hairs show lumpy in all over places. Funny. Sweet white puppy hair coats our house in corners, carpets, and God only knows elsewhere. Our thirteen and a half year OLD cat, Spot, grows fatter and slower in his arthritic way but still puts up a good battle with the "she" puppy who now towers over him, petting him gently--for the most part--with her rather large paws in invitation for affection or another pouncing.
2010 Ouray Ice Festival dwindles to a close. I wonder how Will Gadd feels after 24 hours of climbing in the park, a first, for a fundraiser. Another year has passed, and the festival is a non-event for this writer. Someday... Perhaps I'll voluteer again next year. This year is a step back from practically everything. Tired, always tired these days.
Maui awaits us for a long awaited rest. So much to do before, just 10 ten days away. May difficult times be easier this year and beyond.
Our store, Mountain Fever, is quiet at the moment. May be busy soon as climbers come down from the icy gorge of frozen glory. So beautiful to look at, so fun to climb.
New Years resolutions are goals for me, not to be broken, but to be steps forward into adventures of wisdom and joy.
Need a new journal...buy one, my first written goal. More peace in my life...A Course In Miracles group forming. Reinforcement of my already started readings, to continue through 2010 and beyond, my second goal. Fun, lots of it...more time doing things I love and want to do, including spending more quality time with Bruce, seeing my family more, and hiking with Aspen--my third goal. Letting go...worrying less about the small stuff, being in the moment as much as possible, not so affected by what others may or may not think of me--my fourth goal. Writing...finish revising my novel and beginning another, making the time to write--my fifth goal. More ME time...more days off, doing things I want to do that have feared, and taking lots of "do nothing days" off actually doing NOTHING!
The only way to have peace in life and the world is to be in peace in the world. The swords that must be laid down begins with me...my sixth goal. Forgiveness, loving...real peace.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Holiday Hideout
Reflection time. Beauty in Ouray everywhere one looks. I'm looking...at snow covered Mt. Hayden. Rocks and conifers jutting from white frosting, trees thickly coated. Cold wind licks their boughs, sprinkling snowflakes around clear blue Colorado sky. Warm upstairs, pellet stove noisily pumping hot air below. Bean soup bubbling in the crock pot.
I'm grateful for all I have and the struggles to be me.
Spot, our 12.5 year old tuxedo mouse and chipmunk hunter rests his arthritic body on the step to my left. Five month old Aspen, our overachiever Golden Retriever puppy, is stretched out nearly four feet, snoozing at my toes.
An unrestful year, all tidy and wrapped up, awaits to be unravelled again, disguised as a new year. Lighter times for some, heavier for others. Please, lighter for me.
I miss my dad who left us here on planet Earth in September. Spending a month with Mom has truly been a gift. Miss my family so much, especially Ryan. Some day they will come here for a postcard Christmas. Much better than spending hours on the freeway for Christmas visits.
Thank you, Bruce, the love of my life, for a "do nothing" Christmas Day present.
Ryan, my darling son, showered us with thoughtful presents. With plenty to eat, warm surroundings family calls, and friends all around, we are so very lucky. And to live here in Ouray, Colorado, even luckier.
Quiet. A "get to" instead of "have to" day. Two of them in a row. Almost three! Thank you, Bruce, for working today.
Catch up can be another day. Time to revisit goals. Create abundance. Maybe there will be time to finish my book...or start another.
I'm grateful for all I have and the struggles to be me.
Spot, our 12.5 year old tuxedo mouse and chipmunk hunter rests his arthritic body on the step to my left. Five month old Aspen, our overachiever Golden Retriever puppy, is stretched out nearly four feet, snoozing at my toes.
An unrestful year, all tidy and wrapped up, awaits to be unravelled again, disguised as a new year. Lighter times for some, heavier for others. Please, lighter for me.
I miss my dad who left us here on planet Earth in September. Spending a month with Mom has truly been a gift. Miss my family so much, especially Ryan. Some day they will come here for a postcard Christmas. Much better than spending hours on the freeway for Christmas visits.
Thank you, Bruce, the love of my life, for a "do nothing" Christmas Day present.
Ryan, my darling son, showered us with thoughtful presents. With plenty to eat, warm surroundings family calls, and friends all around, we are so very lucky. And to live here in Ouray, Colorado, even luckier.
Quiet. A "get to" instead of "have to" day. Two of them in a row. Almost three! Thank you, Bruce, for working today.
Catch up can be another day. Time to revisit goals. Create abundance. Maybe there will be time to finish my book...or start another.
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