At the risk or repetition, a quote I'm of which I am fond and now a promise I've made to myself...

"I'll make no one a priority who thinks of me as merely an option."

Sure. I'd accept the person's apology...but the opportunity would never arise again. There are consequences to mistakes made...apologies aside.

"This American Life"

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio_podcast.aspx

This is kind of cool...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFloPzc95-s&feature=related

My mother always made dandelion salads in the Spring. She was doing that long before there were any 'hippies'. A little bitter for me, but I do like the young Spring leaves mixed in with more traditional salad greens. Was never fond of dandelion served in the 'wilted' fashion...ie: with hot bacon and vinegar.

I've had dandelion wine and tea...both were very good.

Seems arguments have most often stemmed from 'control' issues in my past relationships...whether about money, household chores or where to go for dinner.

I used to tease the ex by asking him who gave him the whistle. He reminded me of a camp counselor...always planning my day, our vacation or deciding what and where I would/should be doing, going, thinking...etc. Gave him a big silver whistle as a gag gift one year for his b-day. It was funny at the time. But, ya know, after awhile...not so much.

As a young girl...many of the 'folk singers' - Joan Baez, Joanie Mitchell, Peter, Paul and Mary, etc.

As a young woman...The Beatles and Steely Dan, very early Bruce, among others.

Since...David Byrne with/without The Talking Heads, R.E.M., Laurie Anderson, Michele Shocked, Sting, David Bowie, J.J. Cale, Leo Kottke, Randy Newman, Poi Dog Pondering, XTC, Lucinda Williams...oh, geez...the list is endless.

Lately...Jack Johnson, Ray Lamontagne, Amy Winehouse, Robert Plant and Alison Krause...on & on...

1. Reconnect and remain a real part of the lives of my ex's neice and nephew. I've always loved them as if they were my children...I miss them so much .

2. Learn to paint with water color and learn to write better (er...learn to write well), so I can eventually have my short stories published (maybe even a book) with some of my own illustrations.

3. Live on the shore...somewhere reasonably quiet and warm.

4. Spend a year or so working at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti.

5. Foster/adopt an older child.

You are right. As far as cost of healthcare goes...it is a combined problem...pharmaceutical, insurance, medical supply and medical equipment companies all take an exorbitant piece of the pie. Example: A package of 500 'clean' (as in the hospital use of the term), not 'sterile', 4x* inch folded gauze dressings cost over $20. The dressing is made of a strip of gauze that is approx. 2 feet long and inches wide. It is then folded into the 4x8 inch dressing. Nothing special about the gauze...in fact, the roll you buy at the drug store is probably better quality. Check out the price at the store sometime.


What people don't realize is that hospital administrators have been using emotional blackmail to get as much time, energy and effort as possible from healthcare workers for years and years. Until the nurses' union came in to the hospital where I work and changed the standards of care, 1 critical care nurse was expected to care for up to 5 direly ill, often living only from breath to breath patients. The standard now is that each R.N. cares for no more than to of these critically ill patients. Many workers, including R.N.'s, are expected to put in many hours of overtime, often with only an hour or so notice. Workers were not always 'asked' to do this, in some cases it is mandated. Next time you or a your loved one is in the hospital, ask the nurse how long she expects to be working that day...or how many hours she has already put in. Then ask yourself how many medical mistakes are made after someone has been on duty for 12 hours...perhaps more than 2 days in a row.

If things are getting better for nurses's these days, you can thank nursing associations, nurses' unions and the nursing shortage. Trust me, hospital administrations could care less about nurse to patient ratios or whether a nurse's schedule suits her needs...unless mandated by law or a legally binding contract. 35 years working in health care has shown that to me.

I forgot to post this! I'm so sorry...

I got a sweet card on the 26th of Feb. from my Secret Pal, and it contained "a GREAT BIG hug!" It was so nice to get something sweet in the mail. Sadly, I don't know who to thank...my Pal remains a Secret . But thanks to you...whoever you are !!!

Dubbed 'Lou-lou' as a child...because I was one. My mother called me 'Wooz'...never knew why.

Someone who is funny, positive and affectionate makes for very good company.

Yep! Two of my oldest and very best friends :-)

Don't love everyone I care about...but I care about everyone I love...

I've good friends who have stood the tests of both time and trouble. I can confide in them with confidence that it will remain between us. Very lucky, I am.

Maybe think of it as if someone saw you, say in a club or something, and was interested in meetingyou...knowing more about you. What would be the first thing he/she would likely say if they came up to you in person? Some folks are able to come up with some sort of witty remark in that situation, but I think most of us would simply say 'Hi". Can't hurt to say 'Hi' back, can it?

Possibly it is 'mouse-flavored', but simply not labeled as such?

I've been sleep deprived for over 4 years...often go for 2 days without a wink of sleep. So far I've had nothing more than a profound lack of energy at times...certainly haven't been able to commandeer anyone else's. Must be doing something wrong...maybe I should read the book?

10 years...finally married him 10 years (to the day) after our first date. Biggest mistake of my life...being married ruined a wonderful, loving, committed relationship. Ah, well...live & learn.

It's a big world...filled with many, many people. You are young with so much left to experience. It sounds trite, I know, but my grandmother used to remind me that 'the world doesn't stand still'. What is today will be different tomorrow. I never truly believed it until I saw how my life changed these last 2 years. Even at 55...life offers opportunities I never would have imagined possible. Please don't close yourself off to them .