Letter to Congressman Dennis Kucinich 6/30/2010 Re: Health Insurance

Mike works as a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. He got hurt on the job in 2008, with no health insurance even though he risks his health and life for his job...OWCP covered the injury and doctor visits...but not before the local Hospital/Clinic in St. Maries turned him in to collections on every single charge...which along with no income...and finally a small amount granted bi monthly...his credit got destroyed. OWCP - which,as you know is Federal Workman's Comp... pays their hurt/off work people only 67% of their BASIC wage which is very little. Wildland firefighters make their money on fires...no one would do the job with just the base pay they get - they earn fire pay and overtime which makes it a worthwhile income. But, only 67% of base wage was paid to Mike while he was laid up.

Also, every thing had to be approved by OWCP before he could see a doctor. The local doctor that turned him over to collections instead of billing OWCP correctly, thought Mike needed Carpal Tunnel surgery ---- for a severe shoulder injury?? What? So, getting the approval of OWCP to see another doctor for a second opinion took a very long time. Meanwhile, Mike's pain is getting worse and constant, and probably the shoulder more damaged. Finally he got approval to see a specialist in Coeur d'Alene... Surgery was next..then physical therapy. He's now released to go back to work and working as of just a few weeks ago. He still has pain and fatigue and wonders if he will be able to work on a fire which entails 12-14 hour days, and 14 days straight with no time off...constant extreme physical labor and mostly upper body and arm/shoulder work. He didn't feel ready to go back...but had no choice. They stopped his OWCP benefits the first week of April...so as it was, he was without any money whatsoever for 2 straight months. He had no choice but return to work.

He can't go to a doctor about it, without OWCP approving... He has NO insurance. He doesn't make enough money to pay for insurance. He makes too much most of the year to get medicaid...

It baffles me that someone works this hard, risks health (breathing in smoke), and risks his life doing a great service, but has no health insurance?

Thank you for your time!
Concerned for Mike..

(photo is right a few weeks after his shoulder surgery...now Mike has cut his hair off for work, again)

I had a dream...A weird dream... March 9,'10, the day son is shipped to Afghanistan.

Dream:
March 9th 2010 ~ am …

Some small poorish town…
Me, Tracie, Gene, a baby… a man and his girlfriend who was Amber’s mom but acted and resembled Judy Kendall.. Amber was there, too.

Woke up in morning laying in street and I was almost completely under water.gasping for air. a baby next to me, too. The man was sitting on bank like he was contemplating suicide…he was so sad and in deep thought… I asked him where’d all the water came from…He said almost in a smart ass way, like I was dumb, that the river had flooded…

Somehow I ended up in the river and I could not get out…I was being sucked in and could hardly get air… I finally found something to grab onto on the bank…and with all the strength I could muster and great determination, I climbed the bank to safety.

I finally made it to this horrible hug building and saw Tracie there. I knew abt this building from before somehow and I remembered it stunk so badly filth.. Surprisingly, it didn’t seem to stink too much now… someone must have done some cleaning and work there. We were all supposed to draw on this huge paper for the couple – the man and Amber’s sort of mom – cuz it was their anniversary…They had been together for years and years but never married… I started drawing some art on the huge paper as other ladies did, incl. Tracie… I reached down to grab another marker and when I came back up the other ladies had moved the paper so that my art was no longer there and I had no place to draw anymore… I almost got very upset then said oh well. And got up and left the table… I went to another part of the building…a roof outside and saw Tracie sitting there w/ Aiyana… I was feeling very left out and hurt abt her not helping me find a safe place to stay and not seeming to care that I almost drowned. I looked at her and she back at me then she turned away…I wondered why my daughter had turned against me and why didn’t she care abt me anymore? I couldn’t deal with it. I was heartbroken and left that place.

I found another old house which belonged to the couple…it was in dire need of repairs..but it was shelter and I was grateful. They welcomed me w/ food and a place to stay… and I took a shower in a weird bathroom… but felt soooo good to be clean again…it had been days and days since I showered… I was bummed becuz I had to wear my underwear again… Amber was making some play toys for kids at a table and I was very impressed that they were so cool… I told her I could show her many neat things to make once things were settled… I was to have part of the basement as my workroom/gallery…

At some point in the dream I was following Gene and Joe somewhere…seems like thru jungle… I remember thinking how proud I was of son in law, Gene, and thinking we had been close once but that it was all messed up now..He had dissed me so often to his family and I was sooooo hurt that I could never trust or be close again…I thought. I wished it had never happened that way…but it was too late now.

Amber’s mom was wonderful, friendly, happy, cool, and hospitable… Nothing at all like I remember her. She was mean and weird and I thought she treated Amber badly when Amber was a teen… But she had changed and was wonderful..

Just for me!!

Finally just for me!

I have always put everyone else in my life first...even when I was a kid being the oldest and mom rarely being there...step dad at work.

Had a couple kids....of course, they have always come first..Quit my career to be home to raise them. Started a Day-Care and ran it for over 18 years. Was a Foster mom for many of those last years. Still me last.

In order for me to be the best person I can be, the best partner, the best pet mom, the best artist, I have to put me first... Not above all others, just at least with them.

Tomorrow is my birthday. This is my present for me. For my life. For my health. For my well-being. ME! Finally, me!

Pledge to take better care of ME!

America, Still Today.

I knew there was still racism in America but with the election of President Obama, I thought we had come a long way. We have come forward, yes, but not such a long way as I once thought. Then I thought maybe it was just little towns like the one I live near in northern Idaho - St. Maries - that still lived in the past with racism, fear, hate, holier-than- thou attitude, etc. When I wore my Obama button to town before the election, I was told by my Farmers Ins. lady that she was surprised I hadn't been shot at yet. All I could say is Wow! You're kidding me?! She wasn't. The election of a black President, has brought out all the hidden, ugly, crazy, racism full force. But, it's not just little towns. It's all over America. What a shocker! I'm so dissapointed in this part human race.

I am afraid for our President and his family. There are some crazy people out there with hate and fear just fuming inside of themselves. Just waiting for an excuse to let it out - to lash out at someone - especially a black President, an abortion doctor, a gay person, a non-christian, etc. Something HAS to be done before it's too late. Media HAS to stop fueling this hate and racism. Any corporation or any one that puts profits ahead of human life and safety, should be charged with domestic terrorism or something if someone gets hurt or killed because of it.

In the meantime, while we compassionate and caring human beings continue to fight for what is right and decent for all, we can't let the hate and anger get to us. We can't. Otherwise, we are no better than the crazies. We have to educate all we can about what is really true with the Fox News types, the Glenn Beck types, the Michelle Malkin types. The poor ignorant people that believe those types of people that are spreading and fueling poison, might actually change their minds IF they had access to the truth. We have to keep leading them to it. It really could be a matter of life and death.

Life has been exceptionally great lately!

Mike and I went to a memorial in Orofino, where Mike was born and raised as his father was. His granfather homesteaded the place before that. We enjoyed it so much. What a great bunch of relatives he has. There are a couple of religious ones that are annoying to a degree, but tolerable.

I didn't get any pictures.....have no idea why. Maybe I can borrow some from his relatives.

Went to Kootenai Co Humane Society highend fundraiser last night (they don't euthanize - yay!) a@Beverly & Dr. Berger's lake home via cruise boat. Coming off the boat, Beverly grabbed Mike & I & took us into her home (which was off limits) to show us the 2 mosaic'd window art pieces she had bought before - one from a gallery & one from me last year @Taste of CDA. She won the piece I donated! Went for $650. YorkNot bad for an unknown artists work! It was a succes & much money was made to help the animals including some $ for much needed veterinary equip! Could see some effects of economy but all in all it went very well. I donate to this casue every year & will always. So many caring & compassionate ppl in Coeur d'alene & nearby areas! Proud to be a part of that! Beverly has 3 pcs so far and I am hoping to fill her 15,000 sq. foot, plus (just guessing) with many more pieces of mine! Bliss! I am so honored to have my art in such a magnificent home owned by wonderful, giving people.

Mid Week, Mid July 09

It's a nice summer day today after a couple of days of good rain, thunder storms, and lightning!
Mike and I did our yoga, hiked up the mountain trail that Mike built with Magoo~our cat, Sox~our Akita mix. Shilo, our old lady grouchy dog but still sweet, didn't make it far before she turned around and headed home.
Now, after a nice day of working on a Sunflower mosaic window, we're having dinner ~ BBQ'd steaks, couscous, & a lettuce & arugula salad.
Tomorrow Mike gets to (hopefully) finally find out why he has such debilitating pain in his shoulder & now in his neck and reaching to the other shoulder. We don't like the doctor much because he just isn't taking this seriously and seems to have a very big ego! But, we'll see.
Going to a memorial soon and will be meeting some of Mike's family for the first time. We are looking forward to it.

Life is good and just keeps getting better!

Namaste~~

Gorgeous Day

Great day for our hike, meditation, some yoga and then to really work hard on some art. No goofing off. Must get some done for 2 shows coming right up this month and a custom sink for a customer (almost done) and then one piece for the Kootenai Co Humane Society's Tails at Twilight fundraiser. I think I will donate purple iris's against a orange sunset with greens for the grasses and stems.

will post a picture when done.

Mary Jane's Farm Fair

Yesterday, Mike and I spent the entire day in Oakesdale, WA which is on the Palouse. I just can't express how wonderful the day was. Well, putting aside the fact that we thought we were actually running on schedule, and about 3 miles from our place, I realized that we needed to *be* there by 7:00 am, not be a few miles from home! It's a good hours drive from our place. So, we got there and I was paniking we wouldn't have enough time to set up. It all worked out just fine. Could have done w/o the panic attacks. It only added stress and did no good whatsoever! I've got to stop that!

We met and had a nice long conversation with Mary Jane Butters of Mary Jane's Farm, which includes but I'm sure is not limited to in any way: a farm - but not just any farm - an organic farm, & now owner of the 100 yr old grist mill in Oakesdale - which is magnificant and huge!, & designer and maker of the "organic" camp trailers, & author of 3 books so far & editor and owner of her own magazine publication. Later, yesterday, she had a book signing and Mike went to it and purchased, had signed, her first book: Mary Jane ~ IdeabookCookbookLivingbook.

There was like a little petting/information zoo with a horned sheep, a lamb, and a adorable goat. There were horses to ride and many partook in that! There were free tours of the old Grist Mill and we would have loved to do that but the tours were done by the time the farm/art show was over at 7:00. Maybe next time.

Mike walked a couple blocks over to the little local store and the store was out of ice before noon! Not very good planning by someone - probably the ice company! We know this is probably true because on the way home we stopped in Plummer, Idaho to grab some snacks and the clerk was putting up a sign that said OUT OF ICE....we told her about our experience and she said she'd been out of it for some time and that many places were as well.

Must share this and hope it doesn't sound braggish. I'm just so excited and honored and awed that Mary Jane Butters herself, a local celebrity of sorts, loves my mosaic'd windows and would like to have some for the 12,000 foot business / home they are building on her farm. I hope she doesn't forget me and my art!

Mike was so excited because he has followed Mary Jane's story for 20+ years now. She used to be a forest service worker, Mike still is and she's an huge organic gardener, Mike has always only done it that way and would like to expand into a small business of some kind of organic thing - some herb maybe.

It was good to get home and we slept in big time this am. Mike is napping right now and I feel like it, too a little. Life is so good. I am so grateful for my life, Mike, my art, our pets, our home and our acreage here.

Peace, love, and blessings...

Becky

Haven't posted here for a while. Have had an art show since last posting and was my first time there. It was ArtFest in Spokane and was a very nice show. We we're exhausted before, during, and after but got through it and had a great time. Met some very nice people. Brown's Addition, Coeur d'alene Park is a lovely area.

We had to cancel our yearly party which would have been this next weekend. Many many reasons to do so and are relieved.

We have completed planting a veggie garden for the first time in a few years. With Mike's normal wildland firefighting job, he just couldn't do it. We have also planted a couple more apple trees and some other things. Things are looking like our little paradise out there.

The art gallery we had planned to open by the end of May didn't happen yet. It will be a couple more months possibly before we can now. The art and nature retreat will be down the road another year or two. But, the vision is clear! We WILL do these things.

Life is good. And it is supposed to be!

after mother's day...

the pocket vases cracked. I just don't know what i'm doin wrong with those..... oh, well. have the kiln loaded with 10 sets of earrings and 5 large barretts. Crossing my fingers.

Have a show in Seattle this weekend and am not at all ready for it. Must work my fingers to the bone until Friday when we leave. Buddha Eyes has to be done by then.....

Took a hike yesterday with our potentially new addition ~ will be called Saydee if she ends up ours. We found her running along the hiway Sunday night and brought her home. She's totally at home and was right away. She's a teenager and wants to play play play. Full of clumsy energy all the time! She's cute.....

babbles & stuff

Am feeling very tired again and still on super sonic vit D (50,000 ie twice a week and have been for months). Still low. Doc said my lab results are not so good that things could come back at this rate. NO!

Anyway, have shows coming up, a custom piece to finish by the end of next week, a party coming up in June with people coming from OR, WA, MT and Idaho so far. Projects to start and finish at home here...........and the usual.

Life is good. I just need my energy back pre diagnoses 2003......

Oh, I just took two pocket wall vases out of the kiln. First ones, have to refire cuz I made too thin....we'll see tomorrow when I take them back out again......hope hope!

pictures ~ Indian Mountain Trail gets closer & closer

Here are some pictures I took today on Indian Mtn. somewhere between Moscow & Coeur d'alene Idaho.......on our almost daily hike up our property on the trail the Mike has been building for 12 years now! It's awesome.........

Followers ???

How do I get followers? Oh well, guess this could be my living journal................for my own use. Was hoping to network and get my story and art out there but will use another venue.....

I am drinking Mike's awesome French press coffee. Wow and is it ever kick ass.
Maybe that'll get me in gear today!

Then some yoga (still can't do much of it yet), some health green & purple shake, and then a hike up the mountain and hope the sun will be out long enough to take some pictures of the awesome view. Mike as built at least 30 more feet and the view is spectacular! I will post on this and Facebook when I get them taken and uploaded.

Then I will finish the floral mosaic I started last night...........

Peace, love, happiness, compassion, acceptance to all.....

Life is good ~ art in it makes it even better

Have an art show next weekend in Moscow Idaho. The Renaissance Fair at City Park. It's our 6th year there and our favorite show.

Torture? or Torture?

woke up on the right side quickly turned to the wrong

Trying to catch it before it snowballs....Our actions, all of them, affect others always. It's always a rippling effect on others around, including pets and even more further out from your own "world" that you live in. I commit the rest of the day to be positive, loving, grateful, energetic, kind, and compassionate. The tailspin I was just in, is over. What the heck was that! Forgot to take my Metformin all day yesterday and just took it for the first time today. Guess that might be it ~ sugar is going all wacko, ahem, was.

Twenty Thank you's for Thank you Thursday............................

I live on a mountain, 9 miles between two small towns on 20 acres, have a great companion and best friend, Mikel, and two dogs and a cat that have the most unique and adorable personalities I've ever seen......what could be wrong.....not a thing. Just didn't take my meds.......

Love, life, peace, harmony, and happiness to all...........

Thursday is THANK YOU day

EARTH DAY 2009 ~ 39th year.....

Happy Earth Day everyone.....We will be working around the house - in and out. I will be doing some of my mosaic art as soon as I do yoga, drink a green/purple health shake, hike up our mountain, meditate and so on....Perfect day.
Have to get my rear in gear ~ I have a show we will be leaving for next Friday May 1. The Renaissance Fair in Moscow Idaho. It will be our 6th year there. It is kick butt fun - music, great people, great artists and crafters, great atmosphere. LOVE IT! It is our favorite show.
My Mike found out yesterday that he won't be able to wildland firefight at least part of the season - he has a severe case of carpol tunnel and a huge burr in should. Surgery for carpol first and then see about the shoulder burr. The good thing about this - he will be able to plant a garden and nurture it this year - first time for a few years. A very good thing!

I need some followers...how in the world do I do that??

Love and peace to all !
Becky (or Rebecca)

End of day..........

Today was a good day. Drank the green/purple juice, did yoga, did some laundry, cleaned some, walked up our mountain. Sat and we read from Don Migual Ruiz ~ The Four Agreements, and then meditated some. I ran my glass kiln for the 2nd time for a couple of months - first firing yesterday was my granddaughters art piece. Today a wine bottle and some jewelry pieces. I also worked on the "Buddha Eyes" for a Pilates and Message Studio in Seattle, which we will deliver when we do the Seattle University District Art Fair in May. My energy is a little low lately. Maybe the Vitamin D (50,000 i.u.'s twice a week) It was 11 and is going up. Sitting on the mountain in the sun, really must help. Sure feels good.
PBS right now has a Native American series on: "We Shall Remain".....So sad what was done to them and others in the name of religion, ideology, and even fear. When will we ever learn?