Things with us have been rather unsettled and stressful in the last few months. We had to put Jessie, who was my mother’s shi tzsu, to sleep as her vacant episodes were getting more frequent and lasting longer. She then had a night where she was totally unresponsive. She was 14 years old.
Then we had to replace the washer and dryer. They were only 20 years old. Nothing is made to last anymore. But I do like the new washer and dryer.
Then we noticed that Whitney’s bump, which she has had since we got her, seemed to be getting bigger. So, a trip to the vet’s, she got caught up on her shots and was very happy when that lump was removed. Fortunately, it was benign.
Then my van, which had been t-boned in October by a guy turning right from the left lane, decided to die as we were getting ready to take Whitney to a grooming appointment. So, we started to look into getting it fixed and running and discovered that the total cost would be over $4500. Well, surprise, we qualified for a car loan and got a (new to me) 2007 Chevy HHR. Nice car, does not hold as much as the van, but does have a remote start function. Cool.
Then a few weeks ago we noticed that Whitney was drinking a lot of water. After she had two accidents in the house, we decided she needed to be seen by the vet again. This is a dog who would rather die than piddle in the house. Well, she is diabetic. So, twice a day we have to give her insulin. She thinks she is pulling one over on us because she gets to be on the bed for her shot (yay for dobie’s wrinkly necks) and she gets a treat after.
And now the US Congress, which is supposed to protect the citizens, have decided that those of us who are retired, crippled, crazy or no longer “productive members of society” are very, very expendable. There are thousands of people in the same position as Michael and I are. Dependent on Social Security (money we have earned), disability, Veteran’s benefits (either retirement or disability) and other forms of government assistance. We are somewhat lucky (and that is questionable) in that we do/will have enough money to make it through one month, maybe two, if the government does not send out assistance checks on August 3. After that – who knows.
I expect that, if the idjits who are putting their ‘principles’ before their humanity, have their way, there will be a lot of suicides on August 4. There are many, many people out there who do not even have the small margin of safety-net that we have. We have already been discussing what we may do if it gets to that. Not a happy prospect, but, in light of today’s society, probably a necessary one.
It saddens me because I really do want to write about Rhodenitia and introduce people to this world that Michael created when he was young. It is a wonderful world. Not idealistic because it did start out as a wargaming world, but it is someplace I have grown very fond of. Michael has plans for a sequel to Titans’ Travels. DiCi keeps dropping chapters into her journal for Other-wheres and Other-whens.
I wish there was a hacker out there who would discover dirty little secrets that the junior congresscritters are hiding. Maybe then we could get some sanity back into our government. Because if the anti-abortion fundies get their way, there is very little hope for any of us.
