traveling up and down the blind highway

In these changing times in government and status quo, the average person will have a policy change that will affect each person. My challenge occurred at the beginning of the year. My husband, John’s health provider changed. He retired from the postal service. The postal retiree’s were not allowed to sign up for the health program that we have had for over eleven years. Instead, we were given a new program created just for this group.
We were switched from a HMO plan with Priority Health that had no co-pays and paid for most drugs to A Blue Cross/ Blue Shield that was suppose to be comparable in coverage. Instead we were told in January that we didn’t sign up for Medicare, part d to include drugs, we would have to wait until February 1st to have coverage. The problem? I have been on a drug for thin bone density for nine months, given as a daily shot. Tymlos, couldn’t be ordered from our initial source. I was running out of the drug. The new provider kept asking for a new prescription. My doctor wrote a new script that was good for two years.
Then the CBS Specialty Pharmacy needed more information. I did finally receive the drug after using the injection every other day to extend the drug. What was paid for last year was now 350 dollars a month. We thought,”Well that should be the end of the problems.”
When we went to order the drug the next month, we ran into the same problem with ordering. A drug that I have been on for nine months was ordered for thirty days !
Back to the phones, transferred from Blue Cross to CBS Pharmacy and medicare. As we called and waited, my drug was running low. The drug was sent with only one day’s supply left. We had ordered the refill the first day we could, 15 days before the supply ran out.
Again, the pharmacy had to receive a prescription again.
It is close to reordering the drug. I wonder if I will have issues again. Is this a result of a new program or downsizing of government ?
Egg prices, tariffs and stock market slump, one wonders what is next?
***. poem
Playing Trump
shell game slight of hand
pick a card
carolaspot@aol.com

Daylight saving time has been used in the US since 1918 with the exception of brief periods during WWII and the Vietnam war. Initially, it was implemented in Germany during WWI to save energy during production. The use of Daylight Saving Time was reinforced in 1966. The time change is observed in all but two states, Arizona and Hawaii.
Yesterday, the clocks skipped forward one hour. On November 2nd, the clocks will be set back one hour. There is good reason to change the clocks on the weekend. Being late to a service is preferable to being late for work or an appointment.
It is jarring to get up after the sunrise. My inter body clock is off for several days. More usable sunlight in the evening is nice for after school and work activities.
For a blind person, I reset my clock regularly I have an internal clock that runs on a 25 hour day. My brain alternates perceived light and dark days. I know there is sun by feeling the heat .
I wish the time could stay the same all year. There have been several resolutions to do away with daylight savings time, but we still observe the changes.
Short of moving to Arizona, I will have to deal with a tired, grumpy self, for a while.
****. Poem
Tripping into Spring
Though the saying states
“Spring Forward,
I trip my way through the week.
Feeling the sun’s warmth,
I am tired and grumpy.
No morning glow.
Hungry in mid-afternoon, before bedtime.
Tired before evening.
Dragging, I will adjust.
In six months,
I’ll do it again.

carolaspot@aol.com
copyright 3/10/25

The practice of Lent has been in existence from the earliest Christian times. The idea of a time set aside to reflect, renew and change in preparation for the celebration of Easter can be traced to the third generation of disciples and the length of 40 days can be traced to the 40 days that Jesus abstained in the desert before beginning his ministry.
As a cradle Catholic, I have had different views of the season of Lent. My Mother was a strict enforcer of lenten rules of abstaining and no eating between meals. This was not enforced on Sundays. That day was set aside for joyful celebration. Some how Mom kept the eating practices through the 40 days of Lent. More rules for the week before Easter. Abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays , we limited sugar and salty snacks creating a craving for the forbidden treats. Giving of part of our allowance to the weekly collection was encouraged. Wednesday night services and becoming alter servers or choir members was also strongly suggested.
I would visit my non-catholic friends to be offered a forbidden snack.
“Do I take the food and confess the transgression that Saturday?”
“Do I not confess and have sins pile up?”
“Do I just avoid my friends until after Lent?”
When I gave up a favorite television program and limited movies , I had nothing to fill in the time. For a kid, Lent lasted forever!
Good Friday was particularly difficult. Only one meal, music was allowed but no tv. We were encouraged to visit the two sets of grandparents to do simple chores or errands for them. Often, I was given a cookie.
“To eat the cookie or rack up more sins to confess?”
I took the cookie and tried to forget it before confession.
My husband, John, had some of the same thoughts. On Good Friday, he and his older brother Gene, were alone at home with both of his parents working. What could they do on Good Friday?
Hey, John, let’s play Crucifixion.”
“How do we play that?”
“You can be Jesus, I will be the soldier putting on the cross.”
John agreed and Gene found two pieces of wood to make a rough cross. Taking some clothesline, Gene tied his younger brother to the cross.
“Hey, I have to use the bathroom”. Gene went into the house, leaving John attached to the cross. The boy’s Dad came home to see his young son attached to a cross and his older son no where to be seen. He went to look for his older son. Gene had started to play after using to the bathroom.
Taking his son outside he lit a cigarette , inhaling before remarking:
“You better get the baby off the cross before your Mother gets home.”
For a long time I ignored Lent and the practices. I found the season lacked the special quality that I remembered.
This year, I have studied some of the traditions and beliefs behind the abstaining. I have found there are three reasons to keep lent a tripod of theology to base the practice.
First. To give up a action that can be harmful. This can be giving alcohol, sweets or places that cause temptations. I have given up watching the national news. It only makes me angry and powerless.
Second. I put a new task to take the place of the old habit. I have put time to call or write to relatives especially the elderly of my family and friends to keep of them and show they are still a part of my life.
Third, The idea of almsgiving can be expanded to giving one’s time, to a charity, a neighbor in need or helping a stranger by smiling and saying, “Good morning.” Giving to groups that make requests are also part of giving. I find it is too easy to give to a charity but to go through my clothing and donate items that I no longer use or volunteer at a local second store to help others is a way to build relationship with others.
So I will keep Lent day by day. I am sure that I will have days that I fail, but I am determine to pick myself up and continue to a blessed Easter.

*** poem
Lent
in my childhood, a four letter word
Lost in a cluster of rules many starting with “Do not”
Easy to slip, then back to the confessional
notice many of my friends have no restrictions
Time drags , I wait for the basket delivered on Easter morning.
carolaspot@aol.com 3/3/25 copyrighted


  When my husband John,  had his farm, he tried to raise many different  animals. One of his neighbor raised pigs. His neighbor Dennis  had a sow with a litter of piglets, he offered John one. 
  “Wait until they are weaned.” he was advised. When weaned, The piglet would be about twelve pounds and eating solid food.”
  The female pig  given to John was named  Arnold after the pig on the Television show, “Green Acres.” Her gender was in doubt afterwards
  She was an off white Hampshire pig with a pink snout, small onyx eyes, pointed ears and a double curled tail. The teeth of young pigs are sharp and pointed to tear apart their food. 
  Arnold was gentle, never biting people. She was intelligent with a curious nature. She would look towards the house at milking time. When John was done with the chores, he and his white  spotted dog, Junior, took a walk in the woods and fields. Arnold would push against the gate squealing with excitement. Soon, she joined them on the strolls around the one hundred twenty acre farm. When to show affection, Arnold would push her snout into John’s palm.
  “Arnold, Do you want to come along?” John got in a habit of taking Arnold on a walk with his dog Junior. Both would walk with no leash. Junior would race ahead, while John walked with Arnold bringing up the rear. 
  Arnold grew and soon passed the 250 pound market size. When John’s brother, Gene visited, John warned him to keep his kids away from the pig.
  “Your kids are small and could be squashed.”
  Unlike the cows, pigs have upper and lower teeth. They are strong and sharp.
  Ar 
  When it was time to attempt breeding Arnold, she had a different idea. Though the neighbor’s boar was interested, Arnold ignored him. She eagerly walked home when called. She acted like another dog rather than a pig.
  Finally, Arnold topped the scales well over 650 pounds. Slowing down on the daily walks, John suspected an aging problem. An appointment was set to take Arnold to be processed, but how to get her into the truck.
  John first tried  to lead her up the ramp into the truck. Arnold refused to climb the ramp. Then He tried to back her up the tailgate. The large pig refused to move. A treat of  apple slices  offered as a bribe  didn’t work either. No, was said with the pig’s body language. An older neighbor watched for a spell and offered a suggestion.
  “Take a bucket and cover her head. She will be easier to lead.”
  He was right. When Arnold couldn’t see where she was going, She could be backed up the ramp and into the truck. The last sight of Arnold was a mournful look as she was driven to the butcher. But stories of Arnold are still told as a part of our family lore.

The term Eskimo is a common term that can refer to several indigenous people from the northern parts of Canada, Alaska and Siaberia. They have a short stocky build and light brown skin tones. The barrel chest and short arms and legs helps minimize heat loss in the extreme cold of the Artic circle.
It is estimated that the Inuit and Eskimos have over 100 words to describe snow. The words describe the type of snow, the rate of the snow fall and the drifting and blowing of the snow.
They use these terms to convey their environment. The intensity, rate and wind conditions are conveyed for survival information.
The Eskimo show affection by rubbing one’s nose on another’s cheek. This was seen by early explores as an Eskimo kiss. The area of the nose, cheek and eyes are exposed for short periods. The moisture of lips could freeze in the sub zero temperatures.
The Inuit carved figures and animals from daily life. The carvings were made from ivory, bone and in later years soft rocks like soapstone was used. The totem may represent a family or clan. They live in extended family groups. A village would have less than one hundred people.
Back to the snow conditions here in Michigan. As a result of global warming of the lake water, the covering of ice has not yet formed. Winds traveling over the open bodies of water, picks up moisture and releases it as snow on the lake shore. This snow is known as lake effect snow. The narrow bands of heavy snow can can occur up to 100 miles inland. We live 46 miles from Lake Michigan, well within the snow bands. The prediction of colder weather and north west winds will add to more snow covering.
So much for Punxsutawney Phil, the local ground hog’s prediction for an early spring . He may be! Snow cover has been in our area since the start of January. The deer that come to feed in our yard backs are covered with a light coating of snow. Squirrels run down a trough of snow from the trees to the bird seeds. Snall birds pick at the suet cakes for needed fat. At least they can get a drink of water from the heated basin.
I sit at my kitchen table, watching the snow while drinking a cup of hot brew. By today’s weather, winter’s icy grip is here through the end of the month. Maybe there is a reason there is a local town named Alaska.
***. poem
Whirling Dervish
Quiet still
wind blows downhill
deer huddle in the pines
hunger pushes food to find
snowflakes swirl around yard
icicles shatter into shards
squirrels dig for seeds
hunger,jo a constant need

carolaspot copyrighted 2/17/25

Today is International Cribbage Day. This game is from two to four players. It combines a peg board to keep track of each player’s score. Eight dealt hands make a game. Using the cards dealt plus consider the four cards in the kitty, one must play their cards to collect the most points. Extra points are given if a player is able to lay down 15 or 31 points. The first player to reach a score of 121 points is the winner. This score corresponds to reaching the end of the cribbage board.
My Grandpa Al loved this game. He taught his grandchildren to play. Strategy and math skills are needed to win. Sadly, I never mastered math until long after he died. However, I did inherit love of card games.
Each Saturday, I would call my friend Sarah to see who would host the card game that week. Our game of choice was Canasta. It is played with a double deck of cards and both jokers. Gathering melds of seven cards and single cards to complete the opponent’s melds. The first player or team to reach 500 points is the winner. One game of Canasta would last all morning. The host would offer a prize for the winner. This is the way I lost my ceramic baby elephants. The winner could choose one of the possessions from the other player.
Gin Rummy was another favorite. This game involved keeping your cards until ready to lay down all cards. With a flourish, the winner lays down his or her hand all at once.
Grandma Heatley liked to play the game of hearts. The object of the game is to collect the fewest points by taking tricks and avoiding the Queen of spades. One tries to rid their hand of hearts by discarding card on the discard pile. If a player can’t play, he or she must pick a card. The game ends when all the cards are picked or a player lays down their cards.
The Queen of spades is worth 13 points. The ace of hearts is worth 4 points and can be used as a wild card to play for any other card.
As I matured, I would prefer Euchre and bridge. Both games take ricks and play with a partner.T he first team to score 10 points wins. The euchre deck consists of 24 cards , the nines through the aces. Both euchre and bridge can have one of the players lay down their hand to be a dummy. The cards will be played by the partner as the dummy stays silent.
As an adult, My husband and I played euchre with neighbors. The host couple offered refreshments of coffee and a dessert during the evening. First, second and last place were awarded prizes. I was noted to take the last place prize.
When I was alone, I would entertain myself with different solitaire games. My favorite was with the cards passed out in the shape of a clock, 12 stacks of cards the 13 stack was in the middle of the circle. I would take the first card from the middle and start to put the card number under that corresponding place around the clock face. If I had all the cards in the correct placement before I ran out of cards from the middle, I won. It was a great way to put the cards in order before putting them away.
Now many people play cards digitally. I love the feel of the cards and the snap as they are turned and placed in the correct order.
“Anyone up for a card game?”
Poem. ***
Cribbage cards, folding board
pegs found in sliding drawer
four colors, around the board
121 the winning score
carolaspot@aol.com 2/10/25 copyrighted

The month of February has an odd history. The original Roman calendar had only 10 months. The winter season was not marked with months.It had 304 days in the year with around 61 days in the winter season. Romans used the winter months to visit with family and friends. Road construction and military training were conducted before spring campaigns. The Roman week was 8 days in length
In changed the calendar in the year 321AD to seven day week, and added the months of January and February. Also decreed that Sunday would be the first day of the week. The Emperor’s conversation to Christianity in 318 AD after reporting seeing a vision of a cross with the inscription, “The Son will conquer.”, leading Constantine to convert. The months were based on a solar rather than a lunar cycle.
January was the first month of the year and February the last. Romans considered even months as unlucky. The month of February with 28 days was dedicated to purification and festivals honoring the dead.
This form of marking time was used until the late 16th century. Pope Gregory decreed that ten days be added to the calendar to assure the spring equinox occurred on March 21st. A leap year was added every four years with an added day in February. The Gregorian calendar is used by most of the world. The Greek Orthodox base their holy days on the Julian calendar. There are only four countries that don’t follow the Gregorian calendar. Ethiopia, Iran, Afghanistan and Nepal don’t use the Gregorian calendar.
A popular myth is that the dayFebruary 29th is unlucky except for those born on that day.Another myth is that an angel visited Adam and Eve after they were thrown out of the Garden of Eden.The story occurred in the month of February.
In February, we celebrate President Day, Valentine’s Day and Ground hog’s Day, many people see this month as one to endure rather enjoy. Take courage. February will not last!
***. poem
February
Flu shot
Eager for spring
Birds start to migrate
Ready for sunshine
Use indoor gym another month
Air damp with fog
Rather read a book
yearning to put away winter boots
carolaspot@aol.com. copyrighted 2/3/25

This my second attempt to post this blog. My apologies if you are receiving this twice.
Carol
Under the waters of Lake Michigan, off the shore of Traverse City, is a circular formation constructed by man. It is believed to be over 9000 years old. This was a time when the glaciers were retreating. The Great Lakes waters levels were lower than today. The lake basins were carved by the retreating glaciers. There is evidence of ancient man by stone tools found in and around Lake Michigan.
In 2007, Mark Holly, an underwater archaeologist from North Western College, discovered the ancient site while searching for shipwrecks. Under 40 meters of water, he found the stonehenge . On one of the stones, is a carving of a mastodon. They disappeared about the same time. Probable causes for their extinction are hunting along with a change to a warmer and dryer climate.
The site measures around 300 meters in a circular formation similar to Stonehenge. The site currently has 92 granite stones, some weighing several tons. Sonar has been used to map the location and measurements between the stones. Skilled divers can explore the site. The placement of the stones like Stonehenge, have correct astrological and lunar knowledge of the sky movements.
In Lake Huron, a ridge runs across the lake bottom from Alpena,to Point Clark Ontario. It continues along the shoreline to gradually disappear.
John O-Shea a archaeologist from the University of Michigan, discovered an elaborate construction of blinds and herding structures, along a ridge continues along the shore before gradually disappearing. It is believed that hunters used the structures to hunt caribou on their yearly migration across Lake Huron. Blinds and herding pens were found on the underwater ridge, giving insight to ancient people’s hunting practices.
Though no large structures like those found in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, have been found in Lake Superior or Lake Erie ,there is evidence of campsites, cleared land and stone walls to mark the presence of man in the great lakes area. Because of the location the sites have been studied only with sonar readings. The mysteries of the Lakes wait for more studies to discover the past.

***. poem
Hidden Mysteries

Underwater off the lake shore.
Stands a 9000 year old mystery.
Structures remain of hunting and knowledge of the stars.
We study to meet our ancestors.
from a far.
carolaspot@aol.com 1/27/25 copyrighted

Under the waters of Lake Michigan, off the shore of Traverse City, is a circular formation constructed by man. It is believed to be over 9000 years old. This was a time when the glaciers were retreating. The Great Lakes waters levels were lower than today. The lake basins were carved by the retreating glaciers. There is evidence of ancient man by stone tools found in and around Lake Michigan.
In 2007, Mark Holly, an underwater archaeologist from North Western College, discovered the ancient site while searching for shipwrecks. Under 40 meters of water, he found the stonehenge . On one of the stones, is a carving of a mastodon. They disappeared about the same time. Probable causes for their extinction are hunting along with a change to a warmer and dryer climate.
The site measures around 300 meters in a circular formation similar to Stonehenge. The site currently has 92 granite stones, some weighing several tons. Sonar has been used to map the location and measurements between the stones. Skilled divers can explore the site. The placement of the stones like Stonehenge, have correct astrological and lunar knowledge of the sky movements.
In Lake Huron, a ridge runs across the lake bottom from john to Clark Point Ontario. It continues along the shoreline to gradually disappear.
John O-Shea a archaeologist from the University of Michigan, discovered an elaborate construction of blinds and herding structures, along a ridge continues along the shore before gradually disappearing. It is believed that hunters used the structures to hunt caribou on their yearly migration across Lake Huron. Blinds and herding pens were found on the underwater ridge, giving insight to ancient people’s hunting practices.
Though no large structures like those found in Lake Michigan, have been found in Lake Superior or Lake Erie ,there is evidence of campsites, cleared land and stone walls to mark the presence of man in the great lakes area. Because of the location the sites have been studied only with sonar readings. The mysteries of the Lakes wait for more studies to discover the past.

***. poem
Hidden Mysteries

Underwater off the lake shore.
Stands a 9000 year old mystery.
Structures remain of hunting and knowledge of the stars.
We study to meet our ancestors.
from a far.
carolaspot@aol.com 1/27/25 copyrighted

We decided to travel to the Straights of Mackinaw in mid-January. A normally busy summer resort town was deserted on this early frosty dawn. blustery dawn morning. Even the McDonalds perched on the lake shore, was closed for the season. Walking past the empty parking lot, we climbed over snow and sand piles. Finally, we made our way to the beach. A rising sun reflected a lone cloud floating balloon like , close to our shore. It felt close enough to touch. As we watched, it paused in it’s journey towards us and reversed direction, it floated to the opposite shore. In the warmth of the sun, the cloud thins and slowly disappears. The scene reminded me of a lost child searching for his parent. The rest of the sky remained a brilliant blue.
***. poem

Winter Sailing
dawn peeks over the water.
ice asher sky,
frigid stillness,
One small cloud sails quietly towards me.
Rising sun, vapor hovers.
pausing,
changing course,
Silver/white sails unfurl.
It steers to the far shore.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyright 1/20/25