Redwinged Blackbirds!!!
Tuesday night as I was drifting off to sleep I noted a dream that it was snowing. On Wednesday I had to rise early for a dentist appointment (chipped tooth) and it was snowing exactly like in the dream! But, as I watched the snow falling I heard, for the first time here in town, Redwinged Blackbirds (!!!), then saw them too! Hurrah!!!
This photo is not washed out; it was snowing!
See if you can find the pair of Redwinged Blackbirds. :-)
Here's another with the pair in the Birches!
Howard Dean sighting:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2014304070035
I can't believe they used such a poor photo. And I'm so sorry I didn't know Howard was speaking!! I was about 5 minutes away at the time, too!
DeleteDean's absolutely right, of course. Although I'd still call what he envisions "Obamacare." What's new and different about the Affordable Care Act won't change. And it does include features such as the demonstration Accountable Care Organizations that encourage the transition to more efficient healthcare delivery.
DeleteIncidentally, this all-inclusive flat fee, with its emphasis on preventive care, was the original idea behind HMOs. Kaiser Permanente has always used that model. But it didn't work in the setting of employer-provided insurance because employers kept switch insurance companies, looking for the best deal next year. The money that one plan spent on preventive care was more likely than not to end up benefitting a different plan.
In recent years Kaiser has gone from a flat rate per employee in their group insurance plans for businesses to higher rates with age, which makes it hard for small businesses with older workers (like my primary employer). But Miyoko and I are very happy with our Medicare Advantage coverage through Kaiser. And the demeanor of Kaiser's employees is SO much better than in the other, rabidly anti-union hospitals around here.
DeleteBill--I have a question for you; please drop me a line at abarbour (at) lightspeed.net (I don't have your e-mail address).
Thanks in advance.
--Alan
Sorry--been AWOL because the last half of "As Time Goes By" and "The . . . Yaya Sisterhood." Didn't sleep, either.
ReplyDeleteHad actually avoided the YaYa movie for years, 'cause I loved the book so much and I didn't see how they could possibly make a decent movie out of it. I was wrong: the book and movie are not the same, but both are marvelous!!!
That reminds me, we need to get "As Time Goes By." Not familiar with the book/movie you mentioned?
DeleteThe Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood
DeleteApparently there are three books; Little Altars Everywhere, Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood and YaYas in Bloom. Presumably, the middle one can be read perfectly well on its own. Curiously, Perkins only has it on digital download, not on cassette or digital cartridge. Fortunately, though, I can handle download. The title sure sounds familiar, maybe because it was a bestseller, but I'm sure I've never read it. Thanks, Puddle.
DeleteWell, phooey!
Delete"This title is not at an active status."
Perfectly sound excuse, puddle! I envy you that freedom!!
DeleteHad a bear of an evening at the Library. Grrr. The people were great, my immediate supervisor, though, was in tense mood when I arrived and it never abated. Egads. It sure makes for a long night when it's aimed at me. I need to figure out how to respond in a way that is respectful yet makes her back off. I'm not sure that latter is possible. Could be the only way to change the situation is to exit, i.e. quit. I don't want to quit, but I sure wouldn't mind being home. Ha!
I suppose everybody has heard, the UConn men's team won the NCAA tournament Monday night and the UConn women's team won the NCAA tournament Tuesday night. They even announced it on The News Hour.UConn is the only school ever to have accomplished this feat, having done so also in 2004. Ra, Ra, Go Huskies!
ReplyDeleteI earned another mini badge Tuesday evening then spent the rest of e night reading Asimov's, last night as well.Currently working my way through two mini challenges. Invertebrate Infestation requires completion of twenty-five quizzes dealing with creepy crawlies, while O, the Humanities requires completion of twenty quizzes but they all have to be rated Tough, Difficult, Very Difficult or Impossible. Both these challenges are, well, challenging.
BTW love the kitty pics!
ReplyDeleteI knew you would!
DeleteBTW, the sound track for YaYa is remarkable. . . .
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Divine-Secrets-Ya-Ya-Sisterhood-Mansfield/dp/B0000658AS
NW VT is expecting 75F on Monday (=What!?!=) and 3-8" of snow on Tuesday night, with a high on Wednesday of 39F. So that means we're getting Summer and Winter next week. What happened to Spring?
ReplyDeleteWill we really get snow? Does 75F mid-April suggest we'll have 100's come July? Will I need to buy my first ever air conditioner?
Bill--I have a question for you; please drop me a line at abarbour (at) lightspeed.net (I don't have your e-mail address).
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance.
--Alan