wow, well now that i don't have to qualify my every purchase, or feel guilty because of buying something for "me" i finally bought j.d. riso's book "blue" (see link to the side)

i just got it today and am already into the seventh chapter. this is the kind of book i like, the realism, the this is how some people are "forced" to live.

she shows it with such humanity and understanding.

little miss frozen north stacy t did the cover. great!

after z-man asked me why i've been so quiet today, i tell him, "i've been busy reading this a book my friend wrote" he at first is a little shocked...first his aunt and now a friend of mom's with published books? of course he wants to know what it's about...

i had to chuckle before telling him, but then again he can't be too surprised because the iceback and i would invite him to view foreign films with us and well, as a mom, i did feel uncomfortable watching some of those films with my SON! but it is life, it is what is out there, and on that front, he should be prepared.

other things i'm "blue" about, i went to the bp station across the street to do my weekly lottery thing, plus from a scratch card i actually won a free card (already here i've made more off scratch cards than i ever did in nc)

the one lady lives in our complex. i've chatted her up in the laundry room and i have a feeling she is the "manager" of the bp. the other lady was talking about how after ten years with that store, she is about to quit. the manager is hoping that at the last minute she'll change her mind...only she can't

the reason, you might ask? because she needs health insurance for her son. he husband is already on social security benefits. when she went to find some sort of insurance alternative for her son, it turns out that she makes too much (as a gas station attendent) and since her husband is on disability to qualify for anything. she makes $15 over the limit and the manager says she's docked her down as much as she can...

so, after ten years, this lady has to quit her pathetic paying job, and just "not work" at all.

doesn't that seem like we "encourage" people NOT to work?

we bitch about people sucking the "welfare" roll, but when we tell someone who does work for next to nothing "oh, sorry, you make too much money" what are people supposed to do?

i remember a girl i met when i was nursing. i took to her because she was a crohn's patient and we both had the same doctor. she was probably not 100 lbs soaking wet. her husband had been so good about it all, never complained, but when he had an accident that ruined his back and he applied for social security, they told him because she was on social security, he couldn't have it...

what? this guy was even a navy veteran, and you're gonna deny him?

*sigh* i have my new voter card filled out. maybe my tiny voice doesn't make a difference (which, honestly, is how i felt in the last election) but to do NOTHING is even worse.

health care in this country is at a CRISIS level.

i think i had another "bluesy" thing to comment on but damn, now i'm all worked up over the healthcare thing...

BUT...follow the link and get miss j.d. riso's book! you won't be disappointed.