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CVS vs. Walmart PharmaciesI'm sure you've all seen the tv commericals for CVS Pharmacies. The one where a pharmacist who works for CVS tells you the heart wretching tale of how he went way above & beyond the call of duty to help out one of his customers. Well, it's apparently okay to lie when making a commercial. We've all been duped into buying something we saw advertised on tv that doesn't perform as the ad said it would. But CVS has gone too far in my opinion.
What the ad does NOT tell you is that even though they will go by the Walmart $4 prescription plan, you HAVE TO TELL THEM before they fill your prescription that it's on the Walmart list. Otherwise, they charge you full price. I found that out while I still had medical coverage & most of my prescriptions called for a $10 co-pay, so it wasn't such a big deal. I thought. I mean, for awhile I didn't even have a list of the Walmart prescriptions that are covered under the $4 plan, so I couldn't very well tell CVS if one was on the list or not.
Now that I have no medical coverage, it's become a very big deal. I got 2 prescriptions for my back filled earlier this week & when I called them in, I remembered to tell CVS that the ibuprofen was on the $4 list, but I wasn't sure about the muscle relaxer. They didn't bother to check it out. I paid $12 for the ibuprofen since it's prescribed for 3 times a day, which means I get 90 pills & the $4 list is for 30 pills. I never take it more than once a day, but haven't bothered to call my doctor and get a new prescription for only a 30 day supply. I paid $56.63 for the muscle relaxer which is also prescribed for 3 per day. When I got home, I dug out my Walmart list which I had finally looked up on the internet & printed a copy. Sure enough! The muscle relaxer was also on the list. But my "friendly, helpful CVS pharmacist who has my needs in mind" didn't bother to check and see if it was on the list or not, even after I told them I wasn't sure.
Today, I called in another RX that's on the $4 list and told them so. I also asked about the muscle relaxer I was overcharged for. I can get reimbursed for that but I have to bring the receipt in to prove I paid $56 for it. Don't they have all this on computer? Certainly. But let's make it as difficult as possible for the customer to get that savings. I asked them why it is that they don't automatically look up the drugs, since they do honor the Walmart $4 list and was told that just was not their policy. If they truly had the customer's best interest in mind, it would be their policy. So what does this tell you? I scoff now everytime I see their commercial.
Furthermore, I am having all of my prescriptions (which are many) transferred to Walmart. Even the ones that aren't part of the $4 list. Mind you, CVS is much closer to me, therefore convenient. I abhor going to Walmart because it takes forever to find a parking place close enough that I can walk to the door, then I have to get an electric buggy to ride in which sometimes necessitates a wait. Often the line for picking up prescriptions is 15-20 people deep. I put off even buying groceries there because I'm usually so frustrated by the time I find a parking spot & lay claim to an electric cart I'm ready to run over all the people with screaming kids, the people having family reunions in the middle of the aisles, the shelf stockers that have no idea why they no longer carry "whatever" and could care less, they change the layout so often it's like going on a treasure hunt to find the necessities and most of the time whatever I need is on the uppermost shelf where I can't reach it anyway. Be that as it may, I'm transferring my prescriptions and if I can find an address for the Corporate Offices of CVS I'm going to tell them what I think of their commercials and there "policy" of not volunteering information that would save their customers money.
Feel free to comment! The Great I AmI was regretting the past & fearing the future.
Suddenly God was speaking, "My name is 'I Am."
I waited. God continued,
"When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard.
I am not there. My name is not I Was.
When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard.
I an not there. My name is not I Will Be.
When you live in this moment, it is not hard.
I am here. My name is I AM."
- Author Unknown Burleson Cougars vs Weatherford KangaroosNow, I ask you, whoever heard of a football team called the Kangaroos (unless it was in Australia)??? With a name like that they deserved to get beat. And beat 'em we did!! Casey Mack is #11, B-Team FIRST STRING linebacker & running back. We drover all the way to Weatherford tonight and we were definately glad we did!!
Unlike 6th grade football, we had an actual scoreboard. However, all the stands were on the wrong side of the field with the sun shining in our eyes until the last quarter was almost over. So, I'm pretty sure none of the pictures I took will be any good. I tried to get Casey's Dad or his Granddad to walk around to the other side and take pictures, but no doing.
Anyway, Casey made 1 touchdown & then ran for the extra points on another touchdown. Everyone in the stands knew whose that child belonged to! He had a couple of really good tackles and was in on a lot more. Also came very close to a 2nd touchdown, but didn't make that one.
After last year, when his 6th grade team didn't win a single game, you should have seen the grin on his face coming off that field tonight!! Not only did we win 14-6, but he knew how proud he'd made us with that touchdown & the extra points. I think he grew nearly a foot by the time the game was over!
Next week we play Crowley (hiss, boo) and I'm hoping we win that one too. Playing at 6 PM stinks and wrecks havoc on pictures, but at least we aren't playing in August during the heat of the day like last year! And of course, if I ever get some decent pictures, they'll be posted here. James Patterson BooksOkay, now officially ticked off at this author. I've read all of his books and if there were sexual scenes or any bad language, I apparently skimmed past them because I don't like reading about and I don't like authors who think they can't sell books that are full of profanity or sex.
Mr. Patterson is a terrific writer. His plots are great, with lots of twists and turns. I can hardly stand to wait until another of his books makes the stores. I really liked his Alex Cross series.
However, I just finished his latest, "You've Been Warned," and while the plot was story held my attention, it was a "strange" tale. What I take objection to are the two small but explicit sexual scenarios. The book would have progressed very well without them being as explicit as they were. Granted they were brief, but I was offended nevertheless.
There is always some profanity sprinkled in the text, as he mostly deals with detectives, cops, criminals and I suppose an occassional curse word won't hurt me.....fortunately they are mild curse words, unlike some authoris. However, in this particular books one of his characters says the GD word, taking the name of my God in vain. She could easily have used a different word with absolutely no affect on the story. It raised the hair on the back of my neck, just as it does in real life when I hear someone say that word. Only in real life, I ask them kindly not to say that in my presence.
I an not a prude, but I am a devout Christian. Perhaps his work has always been this way and I've just now noticed. I don't understand best-selling authors who think they have to resort to sexuality and profanity to sell books. I read a lot of fiction and most of my favorite authors seldom resort to this.
Because of this one book, which was not nearly as good as his last, I will probably not spend my money on future works by this author. I intend to leave this same message on his web site. At any rate, I will no longer recommend his novels on my site unless he changes his style. Lately he's been using a co-author, which may be part of the problem. Whatever, he needs to clean up his act, but then maybe the rantings of 1 person won't mean enough for him to care. I will, however, make my opinion known.
It always starts with 1 solitary person to change anything in this world of ours. P.S. to Busy, Busy DaysI note this in my profile, but I wanted to mention that I originally started this site with the intent of making it a Texas based site, including all sorts of things that are Texas-based. Somehow, when I wasn't paying attention, God took it over and turned it around so that's becoming a Christian based site instead. I have no complaint about that, since I know He's in the process of working His perfect will in my life right now. I stand in awe of the people and things He's using to build up my faith, my strength & my determination to stand steadfast in Christ.
I'm not "boasting" about my "position" with God. Judging from the many times I've let over things take over the #1 spot in my life, keeping me on the right path has to be a tremendous task. My life has always been an "open book" to everyone. I don't try to hide any of it, because God knows me inside & out. The approval of "people" has never mattered much to me, but God's approval does. I should be so much further along in my walk with Him than I am. I've had plenty of years and plenty of empty time to draw closer, yet I've been lazy. This time I promised Him I would never again let anything or anyone take his place in my life. I still have to pray daily (and always will) that He'll give me the courage, strength & determination to go only where He leads me and do only what He wishes. This time I've received that peace which "passeth all understanding." So, I'm inviting you along for the ride. I have no idea what He has in store for me in the future. I'm still wondering about some of the twists and turns my life has taken. This is a great learning experience for me. I pray before I post anything on this site or in my blogs that God will use something here to touch someone else at exactly the right time. I may never know if that happens, but I hope it does.
Busy DaysWhat a truly wonderful Monday. After the touch of Texas heat (that left me gasping), we've received rain to wash everything in its refreshing light. All that I see out my window appears clean, cool, and soothing. I don't feel alone today, but sense God's loving presence with all my being. It's a terrific feeling and a relief from the humid, dusty, cobwebs I've been living in.
I may owe part of that to the fact that I cleaned this apartment for 5 hours yesterday, getting rid of some of those cobwebs. It has been very difficult to clean really good since I can't stand for long and can't stoop for long. Usually, I do one room at a time. Lately, I haven't even cared because visitors seldom darken my doorway. Everyone has their own life to keep up with. The Law of Reciprocity has been in play, as I now know what Mother went through when she lived alone in these very apartments and none of us took the time to visit her as often as we should have. How I wish I could do that over.
I've been doing 2 or 3 things at once, which speaks well for someone who often doesn't have the will to do even one thing. I started reading Jerusalem Countdown (the Updated & Revied addition) and realized right off that I needed to take notes. John Hagee has studied End Times Prophecy for years and has traveled to the Holy Land over 20 times. When I watch the news or read the papers I'm often at a loss over the things going on in our world today, especially in the Middle East. God had already nudged me to get back into Bible study and as always, I started over in Genesis. I think one reason more people stay with the New Testament is because there aren't as many people to keep straight. The Old Testament has always confused me because I can't keep all the clans and tribes and people straight. So about a month ago, I decided to do the genealogy of the Bible, starting with Adam and moving forward as far as I can. I want to know where all these people came from and what they did. It's pretty easy to know Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, but what about all the others?
Since I use a Study Bible with good notes at the page bottoms, I'm learning a lot more than I ever knew before. Now that I've started reading and taking notes on the Jerusalem Countdown, all the pieces are beginning to fit together. Also, I met a great group of friends at Pogo.com where I go to play games. I was in Tri-Peaks Temporary Members Room 035 when the conversation taking place the side bar caught my attention. People were praying & greeting others with a "God Bless you" as they entered the room. Unheard of in a game room where some people jump on you if you carrying on a conversation with one other person for very long, hogging the space. That wasn't happening in room 035. I didn't know what drew me there because I'm utterly sick of Tri-Peaks, but it didn't take long for me to realize God sent me there.
Through that game room I met the minister of New Beginnings Ministry (online site) as well as a lot of other wonderful people. Last night I joined some of them in a new Bible Study at the NBM website. They're involved in a study of Daniel, which has always confused me. They also just finished studying Revelations & it's available to download. I'm not ashamed to admit I've always sort of skimmed the surface of Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelations because I couldn't figure out who the prophets were talking to or about. John Hagee's book uses lots of references in Daniel & Ezekiel too, so now all the puzzles are beginning to fit.
At the same time, I'm making a bird house from a gourd and painting morning glories and leaves around the opening. In time, it will end up on my porch, at least it will if I can ever make these blobs of green paint resemble leaves. Otherwise, it will end up in the trash. I'm also getting started on my grandson's next scrapbook, but am bogged down with a ton of pictures of birthdays & Christmases that no one bothered to date.
Lastly, the Class of '67 Newsletter has fallen back into my hands. Okay, my fault. I did one issue and decided I couldn't afford to keep doing it, so I turned it over to another classmate who's supposed to be retired. That gal will never completely retire, she's busier than a hornet. She hasn't put out an issue of the News yet, so I practically begged to take it back (I don't KNOW why....I thought I was bored maybe!). Now I need to get Issue No. 2 put together & sent out.
I have plenty to do, but only you out there to share it with........hope you don't mind. Puppy SizePUPPY SIZE
Contributed by Linda Taylor
This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear.
"Danielle keeps repeating it over & over again. We've been back to
this animal shelter at least 5 times. It has been weeks now since
we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer.
"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer inquired.
"Puppy Size!" replied the mother.
"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for."
"I know...we've seen most of them," the mom said in frustration.
Just then Danielle came walking into the office.
"Well, did you find one?" asked her mom. "No, not this time," Danielle said
with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"
The two women looked at each other, shook their heads & laughed.
"You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's
always a supply," the volunteer said.
Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed for the door.
"Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.
Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her.
They both felt she was being too particular.
"It's this weekend or we're not looking anymore," Dad finally said in frustration.
"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.
Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning.
By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section
which housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small
waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window
so you could see the animals during times when visitors were not permitted.
Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take
a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she
held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."
It was the last cage on this last day of the search for the perfect pup.
The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up
the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.
"Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one, I know it! she
screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"
"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held
over the last few weeks," Mom said.
No, not size.....the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said.
"Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is,
you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love,
the bigger you sigh!"
The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether
to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.
"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work
and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy
if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said.
Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves
me. I heard the sighs of his heart."
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh.
I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset,
the kiss of moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day.
These are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen;
you will be surprised at what you hear.
"Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away."
Casey MackAwrighty then! Casey made the "B" team in 7th grade football & will be a running back for the Cougars. Next week he's going out for full-back. Hope he makes it.
Of course, we (his Dad, Grandparents & I) know full well he should be on the A Team judging from the way he played last year. In all fairness however, last year was the FIRST year for the entire team, including their coaches. And they didn't win a single game all year. Still, Casey and 2 others were the only ones on the team that had a clue and tried their little hearts out. At the end of the season, Casey was awarded the Team Football as MVP.
He reminds me so dang much of his Uncle Jason when it comes to his attitude about football. He'd already told us that if he made A Team and had to sit on the bench a lot, he was going to get the coach to bust him back down to B Team. That's what Jason did when he was one of 3 Sophomores to make the Varsity Team. He had to sit on the bench there. He'd played every single down, both offense & defense, from 2nd grade PeeWee until his Sophomore year. Only time he sat out was one quarter when he had a mild concussion & even then he begged the coach to put him back in. (Even though he was sick to his face and his nose was smashed numb.....)
Once he made Varsity, he could see the writing on the wall and told the coach he wasn't interested in the "glory" he just wanted to play football. Took some convincing, but they final moved him back down. Casey has the same attitude, Praise God! He needs another year under his belt with some "real" coaches and if he does well enough he can always be promoted to A Team. Personally, he could care less which team he's on, I mean they also have a C Team! So, we're in the middle and for now we can live with that. I'll still be on the sidelines with the camera. The Fishin' Side of MeThe Fishin' Side Of Me
(I wrote this about Jason way back in 1989 - His Mom)
My favorite times are spent outdoors
With no one for company
A sittin' on a riverbank
Just my fishin' pole and me...
Some of my friends like to party
And stay out half the night
But I like to turn in early
Then get up before first light...
I head off to a place I know
Several miles outside of town
Pick a spot, set up my gear
Where there's no one else around...
Some guys like to spend their time
Taking their girlfriends out
But when I hear they're stockin' the lake
That's all I care about...
I probably have a rod and reel
In every style they make
The worst decision of my day
Is just which ones to take...
I can wade out in the water
Or just lean back on a tree
As long as the fish keep biting
I'm as happy as I can be...
I've been known to run a trot line
And I don't mind cleaning fish
I can even cook a mess of trout
Into quite a tasty dish...
I don't ask for much from life
Just money to buy my bait
Cause when the sandies are runnin'
I simply cannot wait...
There's nothing half as good
As warm sunshine on my face
And no where is as peaceful
As my favorite fishin' place...
Now I know I should be sittin'
In one classroom or another
But the day is ripe for fishin'
And...I may not get another!!
(Reminds me of Brad Paisley's "Fishin' Song" but I wrote this before we knew who he was!!
Jason was way bad at skipping school at least once a month to go fishing.)
A Poem To JasonA TRIBUTE TO JASON
(By His Aunt Pollye)
He's laid aside his helmet
His football's put away
The doves are cooing softly
His gun won't fire today.
The fish are swimming elsewhere
In another sparkling stream
And the campfire's light is darkened
'Neath the starlight's silver gleam.
The bulls and broncs he loved to ride
Are silent now and still
His boots and hat are empty
They're impossible to fill.
His cowboy days are over
But his entry fees are paid
We hear his voice and see his smile
Those things will never fade.
We will forever love him
In our hearts he'll always be
This cowboy, friend, brother and son
We miss so desperately.
(Last verse used on Jason's headstone.)
Legacy of a Rodeo ManThis was read at Jason's Memorial Service & at his Funeral by his best Navy Buddy, Gary Buckalew:
LEGACY OF A RODEO MAN
There's 100 years of history and 100 more... that's all gathered in the thinkin' going on beneath his hat!
The gold flame burns within him til his skin's as cold as ice...
And the dues he paid to get here are worth every sacrifice!
All the miles spent sleepy driving...
All the money down the drain...
All the highs and all the nearly's...
All the bandages and pain!
All the females' tears left drying...
All the fever and the fight...
Are just a small down payment...
On the ride he makes tonight!
It's guts and love and glory...
One mortal's chance at fame...
His legacy is rodeo and Cowboy is his name.
He'll be missed by all that knew him...
but his entry fees are paid.
It's time for him to turn out to greener pastures...I'll miss you Jason....I sure enjoyed the ride! Jason, My BabyJason was a very popular and well-liked person all of his life. He excelled at everything he attempted and was very active in Scouts, FFA, Rodeo & Football. He made All-County and All-District in football his senior year and graduated in 1990. Jason loved hunting and fishing above almost everything else.
Not knowing exactly what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy in February, 1991. Upon completion of boot camp in San Diego, he was meritoriously promoted to to Airman Apprentice and reported for AT "A" School at NATTC Millington, TN. He sucessfully completed that school in November, 1991 & was assigned to Attack Squadron 42, NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA to learn the Doppler Ground Tracking Radar System. He earned the NEC 6606 in March, 1992 and was promoted to Airman. A month later he reported to Patrol Squadron 68 and was assigned TAD to AIMD/MMF Hotel Workcenter 611 as a COMM/NAV Technician. During that time he was instrumental in incorporating the AN/ALR-66 Electronics Support Measures and ASH-20 crash locator systems into all P-3 aircraft assigned to NAF Washington, D.C. Jason was also cited for his efforts contributing to the awarding of the Robert S. Gray Maintenance Excellence Award to the Naval Air Facility. He was advanced to Petty Officer Third Class in January, 1994. In 1996, due to a shortage of skilled manpower, he was reassigned to VP-68 as the Assistant Line Supervisor. Soon after, he was promoted to Second Class Petty Officer. His military awards include the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Expert Pistol Shot Medal. Meanwhile, he continued his Rodeo hobby, riding saddle broncs and bulls.
Jason never liked being stationed so far from home and only re-enlisted after his first four years because he had a chance to receive oerders back in Texas. I know Jason was still troubled about the path his life was taking. He couldn't decide whether to leave the Navy, finish college and become a teach, or stay in the service and make it his career. When he was last home on leave (about 3 weeks before his death) it seemed to bother him that all of his friends were married and had started their families, as well as their careers.
He was usually a private person, who kept his feelings closely guarded to some extent. We'll never know exactly what was on his mind when, on July 17, 1996, Jason chose to end his life....he had recently made 2nd Class Petty Officer and received his orders back to Kingsville, Texas, the thing he'd wanted for the last six years. However, he also had a problem with alcohol and was well "loaded" the night he hanged himself....and at the last minute he attempted to stop (judging from the boot scrapes & smudges on the wall).
He is desperately missed by his parents, his brother and half-sister, as well as literally hundreds of friends. There was a memorial service for him on base, but so many in his Squadron were threatening to go AWOL in order to attend his funeral here in Texas, that the U. S. Navy flew the entire Squadron here for the services. I understand that "the military just does not do this." They did for Jason and they painted "In Memory of Jason" on the plane. I bet they "just don't do that" either. The funeral home had to move his body to a larger area for "viewing" because of the amount of flowers they were receiving, along with the amount of people that came in each night and lingered for hours. There was standing room only at his funeral. I later heard so many people stood in the foyer and the crowd spilled over into the front yard with people who could not get in.
His Captain, his best Navy buddy, and our pastor spoke at his funeral. The music his brother chose included, "Once In Awhile" and "Brotherly Love." His father and I chose "Go Rest High On That Mountain" (by Vince Gill) and "In The Garden."
Jason accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior on October 3, 1992. Just a couple of months before he died, he told me on the telephone that he knew exactly where he was going when he died. We have the blessed assurance that we will be together with Jason once more. My TerritorySo, okay, I tried to publish an image of the state of Texas here & couldn't do it. Obviously, because I don't know how. I tried to download Live Writer but apparently I have to have more than just Windows XP.....there must be an updated version. It would no doubt cost me money, which I can't spare so..........if you're reading this just picture a small red, white & blue Texas at the top & that'll have to suffice. You might notice that I somehow was able to put the same dang picture on my Texas blog (at the bottom, admittedly), but I don't remember how I did it. (Yawn.)
Back to the subject at hand. My territory these days consists of an apartment complex I moved into a year ago after my mama died. I owned a house at the time but the foundation was cracked and since it had been so blasted hot and dry in Texas, it was going to take 3 or 4 months to get anyone out there to fix it. I had a fairly large yard with lots of flower beds & already knew I was in no shape to keep it up, not to mention the windows that leaked hot air in the summer and cold air all winter. Plus I could see Mama in every room since she'd lived there with me for about 8 years. I wanted to unload it as soon as possible, but meanwhile I had to keep the electricity on so people could see it, etc., etc. My emotions were a wreck, so I took a beating on it. Got about half of its appraised value. Bad mistake, hind-sight's 20/20 and all that. I moved into this apartment complex (which is where my mother used to live).
So, that's my territory right now. And it's like a ghost town right now. I got up this morning, fixed my coffee and set about opening the blinds in the living room so the cats could see out. They each have a "kitty seat" attached to the two windows in my living room, plus the width of 2 sliding doors that goes out to my "patio." What a joke. My patio holds 2 chairs, one little table, a corner shelving unit & a big antique wash tub full of dirt that I never got around to planting flowers in.
These apartments have 2 levels and I'm quite fortunate to be on the ground level. The apartments next door looming up like huge statues of nothing. No sign of life, no open blinds, no lights. Glancing into the parking lot I see my car and by pressing my face to the glass I glimpse one or two others down the way. No sign of movement, not even a breeze to flutter the trees and plants. It has rained during the night or early hours of this day and I notice puddles. Still puddles. The maintenance man has made his round because there are no empty drink cans, paper wrappers, or anything else to attest to human life. Even the birds are hiding. It's very cloudy and everything is shrouded in stillness and emptiness. The man who lives above me is not stirring about, but then his truck is also gone. I feel alone in an abandoned town and can't shake the sense of doom.
A lot of my neighbors have moved on as their leases were up for renewal. There is no semblance of permanance here. It's just a stop-over on the way to something better......or worse. One does not form lasting relationships with their neighbors here. Most are married, while I'm single. Most are employed, while I am not. Friendships are fleeting at best, usually no more than a wave or a nod passing between people.
I pray God will send someone to one of these empty spaces that will become a true friend...someone that I feel that instant "click" with. I've only felt that way for two people in my life and over the years even they moved away and we lost touch. So I pray for one more to enter this lonely place. I bore myself. I need someone to talk to, laugh and cry with, to share things with again. Yet my hopes grow dim, as I turn from the windows today. There is no life here. This place stifles life. It puts people into small, contained boxes and encourages them to stay there with all their rules. I hate it, even while it is my home, my box, my compartment. I yearn to break out. HTML Reminds Me Of..........another 4 letter word beginning with H and ending with L.
I've spent the afternoon visiting sites a friend suggested that helped her learn enough HTML to make her site much more pleasing to the eye, as well as other sites, some of which were quite beautiful. Then I came back to my territory and pouted.
I'm too old (58 for a few more days) and too tired to teach myself new tricks. I just can't be bothered about whether or not my home is beautiful or not. I'm learning to "simplify" in real life & unless someone volunteers to take on my site & make it gorgeous, it's going to stay simple too.
At least it's done in red, white & blue.....the colors of the Texas Flag.....well, and the United States Flag too. This whole site was originally going to be devoted to Texas and all that can entail. Then God took it over & obviously He doesn't care if it has neat little things & pretty little pictures scattered around, or not. So if it's good enough for Him, it's going to be good enough for me. I've already spent way too much time arranging it into some sort of territory. Sure, I'd like to know how to put a small Texas flag up there in the header & insert pictures into my blogs. But I don't know how & it's not likely that I'm going to have the patience to learn how. So there.
I tried to download Windows Live Writer & got a message that I was lacking something or other. I don't even remember what now. Oh well.
I don't suppose any of you out there would like to FIX THESE FENCES for me & I can't afford hired hands anyway, so I - and you - will just have to live with it.
Meanwhile, I'm going to attempt to "polish" my writing skills, but don't expect miracles there either. I used to love writing stuff. Of course, I wrote poetry for years too. I've been able to do neither for the past 10 years. I suspect whatever gift I had in that area is buried inside me somewhere.....hope I have the energy to dig it out without getting stuck by any thorns. Suicide Facts & FiguresI know some of you won't check out my link to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, so I'm going to give you the National Statistics here. I'm praying it will catch the eye of anyone God wants to see it. (I just typed a paragraph about all the people I knew who had committed suicide, including my son.....in the blink of an eye it's no longer here & I was brought back to the second sentence I had typed....God truly works in mysterious ways....so I'm leaving the stuff that disappeared out of this & just going with the Facts & Figures). This is lengthy so I'm going to be selective.
General:
* Over 30,000 people in the U.S. die by suicide every year.
* In 2004 (latest available date) there were 32,439 reported suicide deaths.
* Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18-65 in the U.S.
* Currently suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S.
* A person dies by suicide about every 16 minutes in the U. S. An attempt is estimated to be made once every minute.
* 90% of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.
* There are 4 male suicides for every female suicide, but twice as many females as males attempt suicide.
* Every day approximately 80 Americans take their own life & 1,500 more attempt to do so.
Youth:
* Suicide is the 5th leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old.
* Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old.
* Among young people aged 10-14 years old, the rate has doubled in the last two decades.
* Between 1980-1995, the suicide rate for African-Americans has also doubled.
* Risk factors for suicide among the young include suicidal thoughts, psychiatric disorders (such as depression, impulsive aggressive behavior,
bi-polar disorder, certain anxiety disorders), drug and/or alcohol abuse & previous suicide attempts, with the risk increased if there is also
situational stress & access to firearms.
Older People:
* Suicide rates for men rise with age, most significantly after age 65.
* The rate of suicide in men 65+ is 7 times that of females who are 65+.
* About 60% of elderly patients who take their own lives have seen their primary care physician within a few months of their death.
* 6-9% of the elderly who are in a primary care setting suffer from depression.
* More than 30% of patients suffering from major depression report suicidal ideation
Depression:
* More than 60% of all people who die by suicide suffer from major depressioin. If one includes alcoholics who are depressed the figure rises
to over 75%.
* Depression affects nearly 10% of Americans 18+ in a given year, or more than 19 million people.
* About 15% of the population suffer from clinical depression at some time during their lifetime. 30% of all clinically depressed people
people attempt suicide; half of them ultimately die by suicide.
* More Americans suffer from depression than coronary heath disease (7 million), cancer (6 million), and AIDS (200,000) combined.
Alcohol & Suicide:
* 96% of alcoholics who die by suicide continue their substance abuse up to the end of their lives.
* Alcohol is a factor in about 30% of all completed suicides.
* Approximately 7% of those with alcohol dependence will die by suicide.
Firearms & Suicide:
* Although most gun owns reportedly keep a firearm in their home for "protection" or "self defense," 83% of gun-related deaths in these
homes are the result of a suicide, often by someone other than the gun owner.
* Firearms are used to commit more suicides than homicides.
* Death by firearms is the fastest growing method of suicide.
* Firearms account for 60% of all suicides.
I bet the statistics surprised you. Please feel free to commit.
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