This is not a garden blog, but you might see an article concerning gardening. It is a blog about me and the cultivation of my life. This is a place where I air my opinions and ideas. There will be stories about what is happening or has happened. I like to write poems, some will be good and some will be bad. I am never bored, I hope you won't find what I write about boring. Thank you for sharing time with me.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

SEVENTY, NOT SENILE

My temples are gray around the ears,
But I look younger than my years,
I 'm fortunate with the genes I was given,
From my dad and my mom in heaven.

Today a lesson I was given,
When to the ER, I, by myself was driven.

Not once, but three times I was,
Offended by what someone does,
I was spoken to like I was ten,
Over and over and over again.

First they acted like I couldn't hear,
Then insulted me by calling me dear,
 They spoke to me in a Baby voice ,
Telling me I had no choice.

If it was medicine I wanted, 
With an ex-ray I was taunted,
It was a soft tissue injury,
Could be seen if you didn't hurry,

The diagnosis would confirm,
But they made me wiggle like a worm,
It was how the institution C Y A's,
Another way they make medicare pay.

I went in for a strained bicep muscle...I knew it wasn't broken because I had used it for two days while it was only a minor pain.  I knew there was no pain in the shoulder or the elbow and the only pain I had was in the outer muscle on the arm. Heat and cold packs hadn't helped the inflammation.  My Tens unit did not help intercept the pain.  Aspirin and Advil did not even take the edge off the pain.  I went to bed on the 2nd day thinking to myself that the third day is always the worst.  When I woke up it started yelling at me big time and through the day became worse.

It was nightmare on Elm Street. The pain was excruciating when I used the muscle.  If I held it close to me and did not stretch it out it got better but didn't go away.   I only wanted a small prescript for a couple of nights pain pills so I could sleep.  I knew the arm would be well within the next week if I was careful with it.  Instead I was made to jump through hoops and get an ex-ray I didn't need and put the radiation in my body I didn't need. BTW.....October 27 I was in the same place having 5 ex-rays I didn't need..I should have been sent for an MRI for them to see what they needed to see.

When I asked why I wasn't sent for the MRI first,  I was told they had to make sure there wasn't something else causing the condition.  It seems to me the hospitals are milking the system to get as much as they can at the patients expense.  There is a saying, "Buyer Beware".   Aren't we all buyers when we are seeking health care?  We are at the "Mercy" of  providers.  How come there is never a list of prices for us to see up front?  We never find that out until the insurance bill comes. 



It would be nice to know what they are charging the insurance for the services they render us before they do the procedure.  I shop department store ads for things I need.  Shouldn't I be allowed to shop Doctors for the services I need and then present my card for them to recoup the charges...isn't it like a charge card which has money stored to use for their particular services.   

I really wish they would realize I am an adult who just happens to be 70, I am not senile.

Monday, December 14, 2015

HANUKKAH, Eight Nights


The Dinner table with good china was set,
It was the eighth night of Hanukkah, the candles lit,
There were glasses for water and wine,
Setting the scene for a good time.

It was a gathering of the two of us,
Hunny wondered why make the fuss,
It's not like it's the Sabbath, which we keep,
No Hanukkah celebration, he won't loose sleep.

I went ahead doing my thing,
Dinner to the table I did bring,
A Broccoli dish for a little green,
Roasted vegetables on a plate was seen.

A Challah, still warm inside,
On the table did not long reside,
Hunny slathered it with lots of butter,
Which we used to get from a Cow's udder. 
(Yes, we used to milk our own cows and Goats).

The Chicken was one I didn't make,
Hunny, from the rotisserie did take,
Saving me time and energy,
Showing how much, he does love me.

The last night, alone we were,
That situation did not deter,
The happiness we felt on the occasion,
Remembering past Hanukkahs with elation. 

I hope every one was able to make latkes during the holiday.  If not here is an easy recipe to fix anytime not just for Hanukkah.

Latkes, Glo's Quick Way
(when I don't have time to grate onions and peel potatoes)
Yes we had them on the last night, they just wouldn't write into the poem.

1 package "Simply Potatoes",  "Shredded Hash browns") in the refrigerated section of the store. (Our store has them in the deli)  It is Not a freezer product, If they are frozen don't buy them.  My Daughter told me about using this product for Latkes.  After using them I will never go back to grating my own unless they are not available.

mix together:
1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 2-3 teaspoons onion powder (make sure it is combined real well.)  BTW, I grabbed the garlic powder by accident last night.  How were they?  They were good, but not what we expect in our latkes.

Use a large bowl and a fork, toss the shredded potatoes with the above  dry ingredients.  Make sure it is evenly mixed.

Scramble thoroughly 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon water in a cup.  Then use your fork and toss the eggs into the potato mixture.

Have a large skillet with an 1/8-1/4 inch of oil heating on the stove.  When a couple of drops of water sizzle when dropped into the pan it is hot enough to fry latkes.  (you don't want your pan scorching hot.  You want it about the hot you fry bacon or chicken on.)

Use your fork to pick up about a heafty tablespoon of potatoes and place in the skillet.  Smoosh it down flat so it is thin.  Fry till golden on one side then flip and fry on the other side.  Sometimes you have to flip them twice to get the color you want.  These will be lacy crispy latkes.

When done, take out, drain on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt...eat right away.  These don't like to be kept warm in the oven....Hunny will gobble them up as soon as they hit the paper towel.  BTW, you can't eat just one!

Other blog sites by me:
Chronicling our adventures with a dumped Pit Bull Pup 
who has become a hidden treasure (and his little sister)

A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind. 

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission