Inspirations, the Stories Space Coffee House: If you're reading this it just might mean I'm back, sorta. If you're not reading this, well, congratulations.

Quote by gillianleeza

I did not need to know that the rustling in corn fields is rats. Ewwwww.

Apparently, appointing people who are not qualified to do the job causes a whole host of issues. I'm not surprised by any of it; that is a sad state of affairs.

I still have to fight with insurance companies on behalf of my father. Some days, I want to crawl under a rock or throw that rock at someone. At least I have found a therapist I like, who is helping me with ways to cope with all the upheaval of the last six months or so. I'm so tired most days, but I am trying to have a more positive attitude.

I hope everyone is having a better week than I am. Take care of yourselves. Cheers.

When my Dad died, the minute I canceled his Medicare, all the bills began coming straight to me. It was like fighting off wolves. I paid for awhile, then I quit taking their calls. I'm still avoiding an ambulance ride bill ($1000!). My heart is with you Gill.

Took the day off of writing yesterday to send out 5 stories. Fingers crossed.

And speaking of fingers crossed, IT'S BASEBALL SEASON! METS GAME AT 2!

Coffee please.

It's so frustrating trying to sort out all the insurance, taxes, and other paperwork. A new problem is trying to get a hold of government agencies, which has proven almost impossible. Social Security never answers its phone lines, nor does the DOD—all I need is for them to accept my POA so I can change his address for his pension. I got an extension for my taxes because I can not tackle this simultaneously.

The good news is that it was 86 degrees yesterday. It was very warm for this time of year, but it felt good to open all the windows and check on our boat. It will need some work, but I don't mind doing it. Everything is looking more like spring, with all the flowers coming up and the trees blooming.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Take care of yourselves. Cheers.

Quote by gillianleeza
Social Security never answers its phone lines, nor does the DOD—all I need is for them to accept my POA so I can change his address for his pension.

Yeesh, and I thought Service Canada (who are the frontline for most programs in Canada now) was bad when my wife was dealing with her government pension. What a pain. And the DOGE crap probably isn't helping, either. Vibes.

We switched our voice line to a new provider over a month ago and I am having buyer's remorse. Major outage covering our entire region of the province has taken down our incoming calls. We can call out, at least. And we don't get many incoming calls of importance. I don't given out our home number much anymore. I mostly give out my cell since then people can reach me whether I am home or in the office.

Wet around here this weekend, as predicted. Guess it'll help with getting the plants going. Spring birds have arrived so there's a lot of aerial activity outside my window, though the winter birds could be pretty active at times, too.

I'll put on a pot of Saint Drogo coffee and some Yorkshire Gold tea in case anyone needs something hot. Sodas seem to be in good shape for cold beverages. Given the temps down Gil's way, I guess I'll mix up a pitcher of iced tea, too.

Hey everyone.

Nothing new here. We have some friends coming for the weekend of the April 5 Hands Off protests. Making signs this week. It’s fun. And frightening. Weird to bond over protests, but I suspect it won’t stay weird. It may become common.

And baseball is back! Mets have only 1 win after 3 games, but it’s early.

Coffee please. Any donuts back there?

My best to those joining the April 5 protests. We have our own concerns with Mr. Trump up here but seeing Americans expressing their rage, concern, unhappiness, whatever gives us a boost, too. I heard there's finally some senators on the GOP side of the aisle showing some cojones down there, too, which is also good news.

Good evening, I continue to be pulled in too many directions. Probably need to just dump social sites but not sure which ones. Plus time spent working, doing house stuff, and maybe writing now and then. I am trying to get a story moving ahead for here but it seems to be a bit of a slog. And a story for another site kind of got in the way for a bit, too. It was a draft that I thought I had abandoned but then it came back and demanded to be written. So, yeah.

Ape is in the house!!

Want coffee? There's some dark roast Nicaraguan in the pot.

Tea? Yorkshire Gold and Earl Grey Supreme are ready.

Kettle is on if there are other hot beverages you crave. Sodas and fresh unsweetened iced tea are in the fridge.

How are things?

Here's goodies, too.

Hello there

I’m waiting for a mobile health screening at a church across the river. It’s a fab idea for people to get health checks in a more cost-friendly way. A flat fee of $159 get me heart, artery, circulation checks, scans. Results in 2 weeks. I’m gonna do the major disease checks next for $59. If I did these in a regular clinic, it would no doubt cost me $1000 after insurance did its small part.

I’ll take an ice water and brownie, please.

Quote by WriterGirl
I’m waiting for a mobile health screening at a church across the river. It’s a fab idea for people to get health checks in a more cost-friendly way. A flat fee of $159 get me heart, artery, circulation checks, scans. Results in 2 weeks. I’m gonna do the major disease checks next for $59. If I did these in a regular clinic, it would no doubt cost me $1000 after insurance did its small part.

That sounds cool. I mean, being Canadian a lot of the major diagnostic and routine stuff is covered by our medicare anyhow but results in 2 weeks would be a stretch these days. In the context of the US system, though, that sounds like a terrific idea. Good on you to take advantage.

Hey, did y’all know today is April 2nd and not the 3rd? 🙄 I found out about an hour ago when I showed up for my screening and no one was there.

I’ll try again tomorrow. 🤣

More brownies, please…

Quote by Mendalla

That sounds cool. I mean, being Canadian a lot of the major diagnostic and routine stuff is covered by our medicare anyhow but results in 2 weeks would be a stretch these days. In the context of the US system, though, that sounds like a terrific idea. Good on you to take advantage.

US Healthcare system sucks! Probably no surprise to the rest of the world.

Morning all.

Mets lost, but Elon lost too, so we'll call it a draw.

Nothing new here. Still writing, still walking, still married to a cool drink of water for a wife, still watching baseball.

I'm currently 18th in line to leave a message for the President. LOVE this hold music.

Coffee and a brownie please!

Verbal, I’m curious. How long does the 18th in line have to wait?

I’m excited I have a goal. After the one in the queue publishes, I only have 3 categories left to earn the Prolific Writer badge here. If the badge is correct, no one else has it currently. Survivor has the Omnium.

I like that badge because I can get it all by myself. I don’t need reads or votes just a pen and paper and my imagination … oh, and a mod seeing it fit to publish. Haha! I guess I do need someone else. :)

The news cycle is both exhausting and horrifying. It's hard to stay positive.

My father's long-term care insurance provider finally evaluated him. We've been trying to activate his policy for months. I am convinced they slow the process and hope you'll give up or that the insured will die. Everything is exhausting, and now I not only have insomnia but have started walking in my sleep. I haven't done that since I was young.

I am sorry for complaining so much. I did not realize how badly I have been coping these days. I hope therapy and a trip to Germany at the end of the month can reset some things. I'm going to clean out a closet or organize some drawers now. If I can't sleep, I might as well get something done.

Have a good Thursday, everyone.

Good morning everybody!

It's been a few days since I checked in, so forgive my absence. I've been busy working on publishing a book.

Let's get some caffeine happening.

We've got some nice Sumatran dark roast beans in the coffee urn, plus Yorkshire and Darjeeling teas on the sideboard.

Those cream-filled canolli seemed to go down a treat last time, so I brought some more.

We had some wildly weird weather yesterday – a whole season in one day!

It started with overcast, cloudy, and cool.

Then we had a near white-out, leaving the formerly bare ground covered in snow – again – with high winds.

Then the snow turned to ice pellets.

Then freezing rain.

And overnight we had repeated thunderstorms.

And this morning we have fog.

I'm expecting a plague of locusts and a rain of frogs at any moment!

How's everyone else doing today?

Quote by gillianleeza

The news cycle is both exhausting and horrifying. It's hard to stay positive.

My father's long-term care insurance provider finally evaluated him. We've been trying to activate his policy for months. I am convinced they slow the process and hope you'll give up or that the insured will die. Everything is exhausting, and now I not only have insomnia but have started walking in my sleep. I haven't done that since I was young.

I am sorry for complaining so much. I did not realize how badly I have been coping these days. I hope therapy and a trip to Germany at the end of the month can reset some things. I'm going to clean out a closet or organize some drawers now. If I can't sleep, I might as well get something done.

Have a good Thursday, everyone.

.

That's precisely what insurers do, Gillian. It's corporate policy, whether written or unwritten, to delay and deny as long as they can.

As for insomnia, I'm not sure there are any good answers, but you can try meditation, and some gentle exercise, such as yoga or tai chi.

And looking forward to something positive helps, too.

But above all, take care of yourself. That's the only way you'll be able to help your dad.