Alan, Nantucket does a stellar job of bringing their whaling history to the awareness of tourists. There is a whaling museum in walking distance from the ferry.
We ordered our Maverick from the local dealership. My understanding is that one can reserve a truck online, but orders are then formalised through a dealership because Ford needs to have someplace to ship the truck to.
Yeah, but not for the Ford Maverick. One can RESERVE a truck online, but to get the order placed one has to go through a dealership.
Of course, the reason people would rather buy a car online is probably how ANNOYINGLY USELESS the dealership is! I have had to ask for basic information and the person we work with has given me minimal responses every time. In fact, I told him that we would like to see a Maverick when they get one on the lot. We don't need to test drive it (since so far they've only gotten in the eco-boost version, and not the hybrid version like we've ordered. Sooo! Three Mavericks arrived and he NEVER mentioned it. I found out that a smaller dealership to the north got one in, so contacted him to ask if they got any. He said yes, they got 3, but two were spoken for and the third sold almost immediately. He said he'd let me know if they get one in that isn't spoken for. That's double speak for "Never, does never work for you?" because they aren't sending many trucks out that are just for the dealer's lot!!! They're filling orders! Grrrr. BUT! I connected with the "Maverick Truck Club" people and one guy here in Vermont let me know that his dealer had ONE on the lot, which is going to be sold on Monday, but they were letting folks see it until Monday. So after work today, we drove up there and FINALLY got to see it! AND! We like it even more than we expected to!! The truck looks the same in both versions, so we got to see it's size and how it looks inside. VERY nice! It's about 1/3 larger than I expected. It's actually a little bigger than the 1995 Ford Ranger we used to have. And the ugly bright orange tray covers are removable! HURRAH!! I will wait for parts to become available and get the tan covers. That'll be just right.
We have Medicare Advantage by way of supplement, and by and large the cost keeps going down. Monthly charge drops to zero in 2022, doctor's office visit goes down by $5, gym membership including senior exercise class goes to zero, and the dental looks pretty darn good (although it is through a dentist chain). One thing I really like is that we can change doctors at any time for any reason or no reason. We were super pleased with the family doctor we had, but for some reason (hospital politics, it is rumored) he left. Can't yet say much about the one we chose for a replacement.
When Obamacare kicked in, our Medicare Advantage provider absorbed a huge number of new clients; it took a while for them to adjust, but they handled it. Oh, and they are a union shop; the workers don't have the hangdog look of those at other hospitals in the area where management is fervently anti-union, and treats workers as the enemy.
We are going to get Medicare Advantage (which in my view ought to be standard) and have heard that one has to negotiate Part D (prescriptions) each year. Has that been your experience as well?
Sweet human interest story about a woman we know. We used to pick up Marge's mother Nan on Sunday and bring her to church. Nan was in her mid-30's when she learned that she had always had cerebral palsy. She said it was such a relief to learn, because before that everyone just told her that she was stupid...!! After that she got a degree and raised a family. I was one of the last people to visit her before her death. Marge and I have always stopped and chatted when we run into each other. And now she works at the local grocery store. https://www.wcax.com/2021/10/14/super-senior-marge-alden/
Alan, Nantucket does a stellar job of bringing their whaling history to the awareness of tourists. There is a whaling museum in walking distance from the ferry.
ReplyDeleteWe ordered our Maverick from the local dealership. My understanding is that one can reserve a truck online, but orders are then formalised through a dealership because Ford needs to have someplace to ship the truck to.
ReplyDeleteVideo: Car Buyers Bypassing Dealerships For Online Sales [Click] Delivery included.
DeleteYeah, but not for the Ford Maverick. One can RESERVE a truck online, but to get the order placed one has to go through a dealership.
DeleteOf course, the reason people would rather buy a car online is probably how ANNOYINGLY USELESS the dealership is! I have had to ask for basic information and the person we work with has given me minimal responses every time. In fact, I told him that we would like to see a Maverick when they get one on the lot. We don't need to test drive it (since so far they've only gotten in the eco-boost version, and not the hybrid version like we've ordered. Sooo! Three Mavericks arrived and he NEVER mentioned it. I found out that a smaller dealership to the north got one in, so contacted him to ask if they got any. He said yes, they got 3, but two were spoken for and the third sold almost immediately. He said he'd let me know if they get one in that isn't spoken for. That's double speak for "Never, does never work for you?" because they aren't sending many trucks out that are just for the dealer's lot!!! They're filling orders! Grrrr. BUT! I connected with the "Maverick Truck Club" people and one guy here in Vermont let me know that his dealer had ONE on the lot, which is going to be sold on Monday, but they were letting folks see it until Monday. So after work today, we drove up there and FINALLY got to see it! AND! We like it even more than we expected to!! The truck looks the same in both versions, so we got to see it's size and how it looks inside. VERY nice! It's about 1/3 larger than I expected. It's actually a little bigger than the 1995 Ford Ranger we used to have. And the ugly bright orange tray covers are removable! HURRAH!! I will wait for parts to become available and get the tan covers. That'll be just right.
Susan, I completely believe you and fully expect that Medicare costs will skyrocket just in time for us to start using Medicare on January 1st.
ReplyDeleteWe have Medicare Advantage by way of supplement, and by and large the cost keeps going down. Monthly charge drops to zero in 2022, doctor's office visit goes down by $5, gym membership including senior exercise class goes to zero, and the dental looks pretty darn good (although it is through a dentist chain). One thing I really like is that we can change doctors at any time for any reason or no reason. We were super pleased with the family doctor we had, but for some reason (hospital politics, it is rumored) he left. Can't yet say much about the one we chose for a replacement.
DeleteWhen Obamacare kicked in, our Medicare Advantage provider absorbed a huge number of new clients; it took a while for them to adjust, but they handled it. Oh, and they are a union shop; the workers don't have the hangdog look of those at other hospitals in the area where management is fervently anti-union, and treats workers as the enemy.
DeleteWe are going to get Medicare Advantage (which in my view ought to be standard) and have heard that one has to negotiate Part D (prescriptions) each year. Has that been your experience as well?
DeleteNo, not at all. Just like any HMO, they make changes every year, in time for you to select a different HMO.
DeleteSweet human interest story about a woman we know. We used to pick up Marge's mother Nan on Sunday and bring her to church. Nan was in her mid-30's when she learned that she had always had cerebral palsy. She said it was such a relief to learn, because before that everyone just told her that she was stupid...!! After that she got a degree and raised a family. I was one of the last people to visit her before her death. Marge and I have always stopped and chatted when we run into each other. And now she works at the local grocery store.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.wcax.com/2021/10/14/super-senior-marge-alden/
'We were all sworn to secrecy': Ex-employees say SF venue The Chapel's ghost girl is no hoax [Click]
ReplyDeleteEarlier article with the security camera recording [Click]
MP David Amess dies after being stabbed at constituency [office] [Click] Egad.
ReplyDeleteMerck wants Americans to pay $712 for a Covid drug that taxpayers helped develop [Click] The drug in question only costs $17.74 to produce.
ReplyDelete😡!!!
Delete
ReplyDeleteThe $5 trillion insurance industry faces a reckoning. Blame climate change. [Click] “Insurers are getting rocked by climate disasters. They’re also shaping how we prepare for the next one.” None of this is news, but it is a fairly comprehensive overview.
The Great Resignation Is Accelerating [Click] Consider also The Great Rudeness, The Great Reset, and The Great Reshuffling.
ReplyDeleteClimbing the Economic Ladder in Fresno, California [Click] “One family’s journey into the middle class”
Robert Reich: Is America experiencing an unofficial general strike? [Click] Sure looks like it. . .
DeleteAnd the methods that were used to break the Seattle General Strike won't work this time.
DeleteJust found this quote on FB and I suspect it has a great deal to do with the "take this job and shove it" movement.
Delete" I would rather adjust my life to your absence, than adjust my boundaries to accommodate your disrespect."
-Karen Civil
“Hacker X”—the American who built a pro-Trump fake news empire—unmasks himself [Click] “He was hired to build a fake news op but now wants to put things right.” Says the Russians were given far too much credit.
ReplyDeleteOff to the county fair this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteTrump Threatens to Have Republican Voters Stay Home [Click] While they’re at it, could they eat fuzzy worms and die? Just asking for a friend. . .
ReplyDeleteWell, for the first time I think DT has had a great idea. I mean, seriously, that would make America great again! And, after all, it is their right.
DeleteIndigenous sea gardens in British Columbia being restored [Click]
ReplyDelete