It amazes me, as we age, how each day is an adventure unto itself. For over 10 or 15 years I have allowed this 5 acres of mine to slowly and meticulously take control and replace me as the "master". Now it tells me when to weed, when to mow the lawn, when to water the garden, when to be creative. Alas, I have taken back control.
Since returning from my walk-about I am, once more, engaged! As I take control things are happening: a new orchard of 27 fruit and nut trees have been planted, 8 new grape vines, 4 new blackberry bushes and a new irrigation system to take care of all of them. Water from the storage tank to all of the bubblers, throw one valve and in one hour they are all watered with water provided by a solar panel to the pump that fills the tank.
Finally finished removing all of the sand from the volleyball court to make the new beaches around the pond. Managed to strike one of my 2" water lines while tilling the court to get ready to build up the soil to plant. It is amazing at how much water can flow out of a 2" pipe at 50 gallons per minute. What a spill! Water everywhere and polluting my hard clay. I thought about calling the White House and FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program to see what help was available. The lines were busy so I was able to find the valves and shut it down only to have another project to add to my day, fix the broken pipe.
I spent time on my knees this week planting some 167 Photinia plants around our fenced property. A hedge is a coming sometime in the future! My wife, Barbara, asked if I spent any of the time in prayer while I was on my knees. It was just shovel and dig and plant. God will give the increase after I put them in the ground.
So much has been accomplished. My children voted me out as Chief Financial Officer so now I am just Chairman of the Board without voting privileges. But I only have to show up for 1 day of work per week. Love the fact that the paycheck keeps coming. Of course I am available to them when the need arises.
More time in the yard, more time to cook, more time for the chickens, ducks, birds, trees, vineyard and to mow the lawn.
Just plain more time. I do think that God wants us to take more interest in our immediate environment but not to neglect the needs of others that surround us....
Good times!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Quack, Quack, Quack!
My 5 little ducklings have grown up. I purchased them when they were a day old along with my 20 day old chickens. They were about the same size and all covered in fuzz. The only noticeable difference was that they had bills and not beaks. Oh, and they had been spray painted colors for Easter. Now they are grown up and the fuzz has been replaced by beautiful white feathers.
They grew up with the chickens so they acted like chickens, ate with the chickens and slept with the chickens to keep warm. They just increased in size much faster than the chicks and soon they were acting superior. They would let the chicks crawl up on their backs to sleep. Now it came time for the separation with the ducks going to our lake and the chickens staying in the coop.
I have spent weeks moving sand from what used to be a volleyball court to make a sandy beach area completely around the lake. Back and forth from the court to the lake, some 250 roundtrips with my tractor. Finally the beaches were done, now for some plants. How about a few reeds and some of those lilly of the nile. All carefully planted at the shoreline.
Now for the catch and release! Grab the ducks and throw them into the lake and watch them being happy and excited in their new home with all of that water. There was just one minor problem. These ducks didn't know a thing about swimming in water, just drinking it. I tossed the first one in and panic set in, as quickly as it could it was out of the water and running to the bushes to hide. The next four did exactly the same thing. So here is this beautiful lake with a floating island and here are my brave white lilly ducks cowarding under the bushes.
I let them be until a few hours later and they hadn't moved. One had dissappeared deep into one of my shrubs. Finally I took action and hearded the four into the water and I am sure they thought they would drown but alas they finally got it and began to swim. I found the other one crouching under a shrub and got it to the water so that now they were all together swimming and enjoying life.
By the next day the lake was theirs and so were the reeds and the lillies. They uprooted the plants, ate the roots and showed me they were now in charge. I am only good for the feed provided and nothing more. For all of the care and concern that I gave to my little ducklings this is my reward.
But then again, I get enjoyment out of seeing them happy and contented and well cared for. Is this how my Heavenly Father looks on me? I think so.
Good Times!
They grew up with the chickens so they acted like chickens, ate with the chickens and slept with the chickens to keep warm. They just increased in size much faster than the chicks and soon they were acting superior. They would let the chicks crawl up on their backs to sleep. Now it came time for the separation with the ducks going to our lake and the chickens staying in the coop.
I have spent weeks moving sand from what used to be a volleyball court to make a sandy beach area completely around the lake. Back and forth from the court to the lake, some 250 roundtrips with my tractor. Finally the beaches were done, now for some plants. How about a few reeds and some of those lilly of the nile. All carefully planted at the shoreline.
Now for the catch and release! Grab the ducks and throw them into the lake and watch them being happy and excited in their new home with all of that water. There was just one minor problem. These ducks didn't know a thing about swimming in water, just drinking it. I tossed the first one in and panic set in, as quickly as it could it was out of the water and running to the bushes to hide. The next four did exactly the same thing. So here is this beautiful lake with a floating island and here are my brave white lilly ducks cowarding under the bushes.
I let them be until a few hours later and they hadn't moved. One had dissappeared deep into one of my shrubs. Finally I took action and hearded the four into the water and I am sure they thought they would drown but alas they finally got it and began to swim. I found the other one crouching under a shrub and got it to the water so that now they were all together swimming and enjoying life.
By the next day the lake was theirs and so were the reeds and the lillies. They uprooted the plants, ate the roots and showed me they were now in charge. I am only good for the feed provided and nothing more. For all of the care and concern that I gave to my little ducklings this is my reward.
But then again, I get enjoyment out of seeing them happy and contented and well cared for. Is this how my Heavenly Father looks on me? I think so.
Good Times!
Friday, May 7, 2010
I've Been Away: There & Here!
So, I've been gone thither to Maui, to my chicken coop, to my lake, to my ducks, to my garden and I almost forgot, to work early in the mornings!
The "there" was Maui and the refreshing was great. Although it was an insurance convention of sorts, the meetings were short and sweet leaving much time for relaxation. Nothing much changes in Maui, it is the same everytime we go. Even those born on the Island seem to never change. Mitch the bartendar is still at the Grand Wailea as happy as ever. Most of the islanders we meet are happy, contented and just good people. I am sure they have their worries but they seem disconnected from mainlanders. I think they are brought up that way and they protect their way of life.
There is not a whole lot of interest in what we do over here. They say that we sure have a lot of problems. I love their simplicity, the sun rises and the sun sets and for everything else just "hang loose"!
But now I am back, tackling the day to day with the same sun rising and setting. Nothing has changed. There is nothing new under the sun. God knows! Same struggles, same new/old news, problems come and go, eat, drink and be merry.
Chicken pen is almost complete, ducks are in the lake with the fencing company coming on Monday to surround it with 6' of chainlink. I will beat those pesky coyotes to the punch. Planted reed bushes in the lake, ducks uprooted and ate them the same day. Now I have pesky ducks, bought them when they were a day old all spray painted different colors for Easter, now they are just big white ducks bent on destroying my hard work.
Gardens begin and gardens end. My beginning this year was the start of the end. The weather was great and warm and it was time to put those tomatoes, peppers and eggplant in. You know, the ones that I have been growing indoors since February. All placed nice and neatly with loving care, just before the desert hurricane hit. It sneaked up during the night and the wind began to blow and the huskies began to howl and were all in a row when coming over the hill was Sam McGee from Tennessee where the cotton blooms and blows....sorry I got caught up in a Robert Service poem.
Anyway the winds fed on my plants and when morning arrived the wind was gone taking a full belly of vegetable stock with it.
Tomorrow looks like a possibility. Clear, warm and promising. Have to buy those commercially grown tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Oh well, if I lose these at least there will not have been the love and nurturing that went into the last ones.
The plantation is coming together slowly but surely and soon it will be hot and the pool will be warm!
Good Times!
The "there" was Maui and the refreshing was great. Although it was an insurance convention of sorts, the meetings were short and sweet leaving much time for relaxation. Nothing much changes in Maui, it is the same everytime we go. Even those born on the Island seem to never change. Mitch the bartendar is still at the Grand Wailea as happy as ever. Most of the islanders we meet are happy, contented and just good people. I am sure they have their worries but they seem disconnected from mainlanders. I think they are brought up that way and they protect their way of life.
There is not a whole lot of interest in what we do over here. They say that we sure have a lot of problems. I love their simplicity, the sun rises and the sun sets and for everything else just "hang loose"!
But now I am back, tackling the day to day with the same sun rising and setting. Nothing has changed. There is nothing new under the sun. God knows! Same struggles, same new/old news, problems come and go, eat, drink and be merry.
Chicken pen is almost complete, ducks are in the lake with the fencing company coming on Monday to surround it with 6' of chainlink. I will beat those pesky coyotes to the punch. Planted reed bushes in the lake, ducks uprooted and ate them the same day. Now I have pesky ducks, bought them when they were a day old all spray painted different colors for Easter, now they are just big white ducks bent on destroying my hard work.
Gardens begin and gardens end. My beginning this year was the start of the end. The weather was great and warm and it was time to put those tomatoes, peppers and eggplant in. You know, the ones that I have been growing indoors since February. All placed nice and neatly with loving care, just before the desert hurricane hit. It sneaked up during the night and the wind began to blow and the huskies began to howl and were all in a row when coming over the hill was Sam McGee from Tennessee where the cotton blooms and blows....sorry I got caught up in a Robert Service poem.
Anyway the winds fed on my plants and when morning arrived the wind was gone taking a full belly of vegetable stock with it.
Tomorrow looks like a possibility. Clear, warm and promising. Have to buy those commercially grown tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Oh well, if I lose these at least there will not have been the love and nurturing that went into the last ones.
The plantation is coming together slowly but surely and soon it will be hot and the pool will be warm!
Good Times!
Monday, April 5, 2010
What Happened With Yesterday???
This blog will not mean much to most of you unless you can think back into the deep recesses of your mind and remember a particular class you had in high school. Is there any particular one that you can remember with absolute clarity? P.E., Social Studies, Typing, Science, History, even Shop Class?
I am 61 years old and I can still remember "one" class I had to take to graduate. Does this mean anything to any of my former classmates?
Lithium, Potassium, Barium, Strontium, Calcium, Sodium, Maganesium, Aluminum, Maganese, Zinc, Chromium, Cadimium, Iron, Cobalt, Nichol, Tin, Lead, Hydrogen, Copper, Bismuth, Anitmony, Mercury, Silver, Platinum, Gold, Flourine, Chlorine, Bromine & Iodine
Perhaps I missed one or two. Did I?
It still rattles through my head and I can hear Mr. McGregor listening intently and making sure I said them all, in order, and under 5 seconds to get the "A".
And I think that was the only class I received an "A" in.
So why can't I remember what happened yesterday? That class was 43 years ago.
Good Times!
I am 61 years old and I can still remember "one" class I had to take to graduate. Does this mean anything to any of my former classmates?
Lithium, Potassium, Barium, Strontium, Calcium, Sodium, Maganesium, Aluminum, Maganese, Zinc, Chromium, Cadimium, Iron, Cobalt, Nichol, Tin, Lead, Hydrogen, Copper, Bismuth, Anitmony, Mercury, Silver, Platinum, Gold, Flourine, Chlorine, Bromine & Iodine
Perhaps I missed one or two. Did I?
It still rattles through my head and I can hear Mr. McGregor listening intently and making sure I said them all, in order, and under 5 seconds to get the "A".
And I think that was the only class I received an "A" in.
So why can't I remember what happened yesterday? That class was 43 years ago.
Good Times!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Loving This Change Thing
So change is here from what I see happening. Health Insurance change; Economic change; Global Climate change. It seems that many of the coming changes are being forced upon us. What is the slogan, "Change you can believe in" and just what does that mean anyway? Are any of these changes good for us? Perhaps, it depends on how one thinks and how one embraces the change.
Just how can I beat these changes? Let's take them one at a time.
Healthcare changes: The government is going to force these changes upon me to control my health insurance program. How do I combat this? First I have already made the decision to carry a large deductible healthcare plan. I have never been one to run to the doctor every time I have a sniffle. It amazes me how many parents run to emergency care every time their child has the least bit of a fever or runny nose. I was not brought up that way nor were my children and they all survived and are healthy today. I don't want to spend my elder years having monthly meetings with a doctor so I have taken control of my health. I am losing weight, eating good healthy organic foods, growing a garden, reading good inspirational books, gleaning words of truth from the Bible and smiling more. I am determined to beat this system of change. I don't need no stinkin government forcing me to conform to what they think is best for me. I feel good about this self imposed change!
Economic changes: These changes are massive and being thrown at us continually. I choose not to be too concerned with any of them. My source is not the government or their retirement and health programs. I have a "Higher" source of security. I am making subtle changes. I cleaned out my pantry of food stuffs that have been in there for unknown ages. I am looking more closely at the prices I pay for everyday items. I gave up on bottled water as there are now too many reports coming out that state that bottled water is no better for you than your tap water. Besides, my water comes from my well. My biggest challenge and one that I am going to win is to do away with those plastic storage bags. I go through gobs of them so they are being replaced by reusable containers. Can't wait until they are all gone. Yes, I am using the new permanent bags to haul my groceries. I am enjoying making these changes in my life and many more are to come!
Global climate change: I'm doing my part to keep the climate in check. I only burn when I have something to burn - however the earth burns continuously through its volcanoes. I can't control this so I don't worry about it. I only water my garden, plants & lawn when I think it is needed. I can't control drought, too much rain, sleet or snow so I don't worry about it. I only drive when I have to go somewhere. I can't control the price of crude oil so I don't worry about it. I only pass gas when I can't hold it in. I can't control the bovine of the fields that chew the cud and fart methane gas all day long into the atmosphere so I don't worry about it. I think I am getting the climate change thing under control!
I love change but only the change I can direct.
Good Times!
Just how can I beat these changes? Let's take them one at a time.
Healthcare changes: The government is going to force these changes upon me to control my health insurance program. How do I combat this? First I have already made the decision to carry a large deductible healthcare plan. I have never been one to run to the doctor every time I have a sniffle. It amazes me how many parents run to emergency care every time their child has the least bit of a fever or runny nose. I was not brought up that way nor were my children and they all survived and are healthy today. I don't want to spend my elder years having monthly meetings with a doctor so I have taken control of my health. I am losing weight, eating good healthy organic foods, growing a garden, reading good inspirational books, gleaning words of truth from the Bible and smiling more. I am determined to beat this system of change. I don't need no stinkin government forcing me to conform to what they think is best for me. I feel good about this self imposed change!
Economic changes: These changes are massive and being thrown at us continually. I choose not to be too concerned with any of them. My source is not the government or their retirement and health programs. I have a "Higher" source of security. I am making subtle changes. I cleaned out my pantry of food stuffs that have been in there for unknown ages. I am looking more closely at the prices I pay for everyday items. I gave up on bottled water as there are now too many reports coming out that state that bottled water is no better for you than your tap water. Besides, my water comes from my well. My biggest challenge and one that I am going to win is to do away with those plastic storage bags. I go through gobs of them so they are being replaced by reusable containers. Can't wait until they are all gone. Yes, I am using the new permanent bags to haul my groceries. I am enjoying making these changes in my life and many more are to come!
Global climate change: I'm doing my part to keep the climate in check. I only burn when I have something to burn - however the earth burns continuously through its volcanoes. I can't control this so I don't worry about it. I only water my garden, plants & lawn when I think it is needed. I can't control drought, too much rain, sleet or snow so I don't worry about it. I only drive when I have to go somewhere. I can't control the price of crude oil so I don't worry about it. I only pass gas when I can't hold it in. I can't control the bovine of the fields that chew the cud and fart methane gas all day long into the atmosphere so I don't worry about it. I think I am getting the climate change thing under control!
I love change but only the change I can direct.
Good Times!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Preparing for "Whatever" !
Let me see if I have this summed up. The Bible has scriptures that state there shall be earthquakes everywhere, Matt 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21.11, all from the Gospels. Mentioning this in three out of the four Gospels seems to lend some truth to the statement. There is no doubt that our globe has been experiencing what appears to be an ever increasing amount of "earthquakes in divers places". So, what are we to do?
I am not a pessimist or an overly optimistic person when it comes to end of time things. However, I sometimes find myself thinking, in relation to where I live, just what would my life be like if we did experience a major quake within 50 miles of my home. Based upon the recent earthquake in Chile 50 miles is a small distance from an epicenter in geologic terms. There might just be considerable damage with an epicenter that close by. What does that mean?
I live in a rural community with about 125,000 population within a 10 mile radius and over 300,000 people within a 20 mile radius. Within my 5 mile radius we have one Walmart; two Lowes; two Targets; one K-mart; one Home Depot; only four supermarkets, and four drug stores. The first thing that concerns me is that there is only one major freeway that comes through our area, interstate 15, and should that roadway be damamged how would the supplies get to our stores, if they are still standing and if their computerized checkout stands still work. Have you ever noticed that when the computers fail at the local gas station then they won't pump you any gas?
My best guess is that the markets, super stores and drug stores will be wiped out of any supplies within hours, provided their checkout stands work and they better work or we might see the same things happening to them that happened in other countries when hit by a devastating earthquake. So maybe I should think this thing through.
I'm making changes! Begining to plan for the "Whatever" that might just happen. The exciting part about this is the choice I make to embrace the changes as adventures and to make it fun.
My first step, water storage. I now have a 5,000 gallon storage tank which is filled by a solar submersible pump providing 2.5 gallons per minute as long as the sun shines. The tank fills with clean fresh water with the excess flowing into my 1/4 acre pond which will be stocked with catfish along with the four turtles and a few goldfish that call it home. I will use the nutrient rich water flowing out of my pond to water a portion of my garden. So, I have the water thing covered. What's next, I'm thinking solar and seeing as though my savings account isn't giving me a great rate of return it's time to take some of that money and put in some solar arrays and see if I can get a check from the electric company for a change.
Now for the chickens, I enjoy meat with the vegetables that will come from my garden. Not quite ready to do the pig thing and the neighbors raise beef and they are willing to sell me one. I think I will just let them raise it and have it taken care of and then I can go to the butcher and just pick up the packaged meat.
My two sheds should provide a storage facility for dried goods in plastic containers to keep the critters out. I figure that the sheds are just sitting there so I really don't care if they shake, rattle and roll. There won't be anything in them that will break. So, the adventure begins...
Good Times!
I am not a pessimist or an overly optimistic person when it comes to end of time things. However, I sometimes find myself thinking, in relation to where I live, just what would my life be like if we did experience a major quake within 50 miles of my home. Based upon the recent earthquake in Chile 50 miles is a small distance from an epicenter in geologic terms. There might just be considerable damage with an epicenter that close by. What does that mean?
I live in a rural community with about 125,000 population within a 10 mile radius and over 300,000 people within a 20 mile radius. Within my 5 mile radius we have one Walmart; two Lowes; two Targets; one K-mart; one Home Depot; only four supermarkets, and four drug stores. The first thing that concerns me is that there is only one major freeway that comes through our area, interstate 15, and should that roadway be damamged how would the supplies get to our stores, if they are still standing and if their computerized checkout stands still work. Have you ever noticed that when the computers fail at the local gas station then they won't pump you any gas?
My best guess is that the markets, super stores and drug stores will be wiped out of any supplies within hours, provided their checkout stands work and they better work or we might see the same things happening to them that happened in other countries when hit by a devastating earthquake. So maybe I should think this thing through.
I'm making changes! Begining to plan for the "Whatever" that might just happen. The exciting part about this is the choice I make to embrace the changes as adventures and to make it fun.
My first step, water storage. I now have a 5,000 gallon storage tank which is filled by a solar submersible pump providing 2.5 gallons per minute as long as the sun shines. The tank fills with clean fresh water with the excess flowing into my 1/4 acre pond which will be stocked with catfish along with the four turtles and a few goldfish that call it home. I will use the nutrient rich water flowing out of my pond to water a portion of my garden. So, I have the water thing covered. What's next, I'm thinking solar and seeing as though my savings account isn't giving me a great rate of return it's time to take some of that money and put in some solar arrays and see if I can get a check from the electric company for a change.
Now for the chickens, I enjoy meat with the vegetables that will come from my garden. Not quite ready to do the pig thing and the neighbors raise beef and they are willing to sell me one. I think I will just let them raise it and have it taken care of and then I can go to the butcher and just pick up the packaged meat.
My two sheds should provide a storage facility for dried goods in plastic containers to keep the critters out. I figure that the sheds are just sitting there so I really don't care if they shake, rattle and roll. There won't be anything in them that will break. So, the adventure begins...
Good Times!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
No More Debt - Anyone?
What is money anyway? Just a means to perpetuate our lifestyle. A lifestyle that we choose to live whether it means being free of debt or being slave to the financial system. We make choices everyday on what to use our financial resources for. And those resources are dwindling as we are faced with ever increasing taxes and normal living expenses. Is it really all relative to your place and age in life? Perhaps, but it is interesting anyway to look at our own spending habits especially in light of present worldwide economic chaos.
So, you think you are debt free because you have paid off your credit cards and mortagage and car and whatever else. You are not quite out of debt just yet, you do owe a little more and the sad news is that you will die and never pay it off. You are not in control. Did you think you were? I have news for you. As of this moment in time that I am writing this sentence and if you are a citizen of the United States you owe a debt to everyone, every country, every United States Savings bondholder and any and every other entity, etc. that has loaned money to our wonderful government so that they can run their programs for your benefit. Your personal debt right now to all of these entities is $177,287.00 give or take an few cents.
I know, I know you don't believe me so here is the greatest website you will ever experience regarding our, being yours, mine and the government's current condition. Don't try to focus on some of the numbers as they move too fast. But look at that little box just down toward the middle right. It will tell you just how much you are in debt personally.
"Total Debt Per Citizen" = $177,287
Sleep on this tonight and check it out weekly to see if you have been able to pay it down or if you spent more. If it goes up you spent more and just didn't reallize it.
Here you go: http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Good Times!
So, you think you are debt free because you have paid off your credit cards and mortagage and car and whatever else. You are not quite out of debt just yet, you do owe a little more and the sad news is that you will die and never pay it off. You are not in control. Did you think you were? I have news for you. As of this moment in time that I am writing this sentence and if you are a citizen of the United States you owe a debt to everyone, every country, every United States Savings bondholder and any and every other entity, etc. that has loaned money to our wonderful government so that they can run their programs for your benefit. Your personal debt right now to all of these entities is $177,287.00 give or take an few cents.
I know, I know you don't believe me so here is the greatest website you will ever experience regarding our, being yours, mine and the government's current condition. Don't try to focus on some of the numbers as they move too fast. But look at that little box just down toward the middle right. It will tell you just how much you are in debt personally.
"Total Debt Per Citizen" = $177,287
Sleep on this tonight and check it out weekly to see if you have been able to pay it down or if you spent more. If it goes up you spent more and just didn't reallize it.
Here you go: http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Good Times!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
Maybe it is not being stupid but simply not being informed. As I get older I learn new things! Things that perhaps I could have learned a long time ago. Having been in the insurance business for over 30 years now and having been covered by group health insurance one would think I have knowledge of the prescription drug plans and how they work. One would be wrong.
My case in point: I take a couple of prescription drugs. One on an as needed basis, you know for those anxiety attacks and another one on a daily basis. So, each year at my annual checkup, my doctor writes me a prescription for another year. The prescription calls for a 90 day supply with 3 refills during the year.
I have been going to the same pharmacy on the corner and each time I give them the prescription guess what I get? A 30 day supply because that is all the healthcare provider will alow at one time. Thus, I have to pay my copay ($15.00) each time for a total of $45.00 over a 90 day period. Are you following me? That comes out to $180.00 annually for one drug and I take two so that means the total is now $360.00 if I were to take one pill of each drug daily. The healthcare company ignores the prescription that calls for a 90 day supply.
Here is the kicker that makes me feel stupid along with a little disenchanted with my pharmacy on the corner. ARMAC Insurance Agency, of which I am an owner, switched healthcare plans to a high deductible ($3,000 out of pocket) and then gave our employees a Health Savings Account into which we contribute $95.00 per month. When I told the pharmacy that I would be paying for my drugs instead of using insurance, they offered me an invitation to join their pharmacy club for only $20.00 and this would allow me big savings on my drug purchases. I agreed to enroll and paid the $20.00.
The next time I ordered my refill online and when I went to the pharmacy they refilled the FULL 90 day supply. That was great but what really blew my socks off was when they charged my credit card for only $8.50 for the 90 day supply. I told them that they had made a mistake as I was used to paying a $15.00 co-payment for just a 30 day supply and this time I was actually going to pay for the drug myself. They just said welcome to the club! Are you kidding me? I have been ripped off for years! And by the way a 90 day supply of the other medication was only $5.70.
So, here is the lesson. Ask your pharmacy if they have a drug club? For some of you this is not the drug club you are thinking of so move on. If they don't go find the one on the corner of the intersection. That's where most of them are. Give them a list of your medications and have them price them out as if you were a member. See if you are not paying more by using your health insurance and paying the co-payment. You should be pleasantly surprised.
"Stupid is what stupid does" is the famous statement. I now have time to find something else to sink my stupity into. Good Times!
My case in point: I take a couple of prescription drugs. One on an as needed basis, you know for those anxiety attacks and another one on a daily basis. So, each year at my annual checkup, my doctor writes me a prescription for another year. The prescription calls for a 90 day supply with 3 refills during the year.
I have been going to the same pharmacy on the corner and each time I give them the prescription guess what I get? A 30 day supply because that is all the healthcare provider will alow at one time. Thus, I have to pay my copay ($15.00) each time for a total of $45.00 over a 90 day period. Are you following me? That comes out to $180.00 annually for one drug and I take two so that means the total is now $360.00 if I were to take one pill of each drug daily. The healthcare company ignores the prescription that calls for a 90 day supply.
Here is the kicker that makes me feel stupid along with a little disenchanted with my pharmacy on the corner. ARMAC Insurance Agency, of which I am an owner, switched healthcare plans to a high deductible ($3,000 out of pocket) and then gave our employees a Health Savings Account into which we contribute $95.00 per month. When I told the pharmacy that I would be paying for my drugs instead of using insurance, they offered me an invitation to join their pharmacy club for only $20.00 and this would allow me big savings on my drug purchases. I agreed to enroll and paid the $20.00.
The next time I ordered my refill online and when I went to the pharmacy they refilled the FULL 90 day supply. That was great but what really blew my socks off was when they charged my credit card for only $8.50 for the 90 day supply. I told them that they had made a mistake as I was used to paying a $15.00 co-payment for just a 30 day supply and this time I was actually going to pay for the drug myself. They just said welcome to the club! Are you kidding me? I have been ripped off for years! And by the way a 90 day supply of the other medication was only $5.70.
So, here is the lesson. Ask your pharmacy if they have a drug club? For some of you this is not the drug club you are thinking of so move on. If they don't go find the one on the corner of the intersection. That's where most of them are. Give them a list of your medications and have them price them out as if you were a member. See if you are not paying more by using your health insurance and paying the co-payment. You should be pleasantly surprised.
"Stupid is what stupid does" is the famous statement. I now have time to find something else to sink my stupity into. Good Times!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
My pets are not “vicious, they are friendly”
Most homeowners believe that their pets are friendly and that they would never harm anyone. Recently there have appeared several articles as respects "friendly" pets that either killed or severely injured a small child in the immediate family. There was the pet Boa Constrictor in Florida which got out of its cage only to suffocate a small child within the child's crib. In southern California a friendly pet pit bull killed a three year old child in the back yard after the child's mother left outside to play. The stupidity of this situation was that the mother had just put the dog's food down for it to eat and left the child outside. It is apparent that this child probably went over to pet or love on the dog which lead to the attack. It is a good idea not to go near an animal when they are feeding as they are protective of the food just given to them. This dog had been in the family for 8 years. Typically and insurance agent or broker will misstate a question often asked on a homeowners application. The question asks, "Do you have any pets?" They misstate the question by asking, "Do you have any vicious dogs?" No one is going to answer "yes" to that question and so the box on the application is checked "no". Now when the claim occurs in which the friendly pet injures a friend or relative there arises a question as to if there is any coverage.
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