Keith has been hitting the health care subject hard and true, just like I like to have someone do who can look up facts and be listened to.  I was very inspired by his show ranting exclusively about our health care system - actually, the insurance companies' health care system.  We need a big change of the pernicious money-grubbers who are stealing everybody blind and causing so much suffering in this country.  Death panels, indeed!  We have them right now, in the hands of the insurance companies!  I am cheering Keith on, thinking that he is more like Edward R. Murrow than anyone else out there. 

But lately, I have been introspecting about my life as a citizen of this country.  The truth is, I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for 1) our Social Security system and 2) our Medicare/Medicaid system, which is all I've got, now that I'm old enough to qualify for those programs.  These have saved my life.  And maybe this country doesn't need me anymore, but it is right and good that I can enjoy my shackhappy life, learn more and more about myself, and be there for my children and grandchild.  So my life has purpose and meaning, in ways I could never have imagined until experiencing them. 

But all this has made me so introspective and shocked at what I have been able to survive and overcome in my youthfulness.  It warrants neither heroism nor grief, no celebrations or recognitions.  Just completion and surety that my life was meaningful and hopefully, of value to our Creator and my fellow human beings.  Perhaps I solved some personal dilemna that has perplexed the ages of humankind....

And back to everyday reality.  The weather has become increasingly colder and wetter lately.  We actually got more than 1" of rain overall!  The personal struggle now is to gather firewood and do any weatherization (insulating) that needs to be done before it becomes frightfully cold. 

My daughter came and took me to the clinic to have my blood tested, and we were to get our regular flu shots at the same time.  I got mine, but her MS symptoms were really bad, and they told her to wait until her condition gets a bit better.  We did a little shopping, stopped for a lunch break, post officed, and home again.  I need to get off the computer now, get out there, and gather firewood.  The tree trimmers have come along the road, cutting down trees that might become problems for the power lines, and the wood can be gathered by anybody who can do so.  Oh, to be younger and stronger!  I'll do what I can.