A Rant

I haven't posted an update about Bob recently. Things are, unsurprisingly, not good. The biopsy did show liver cancer and, worse, it is very widespread. He visited an oncologist who said 4 to 6 months, and, frankly, I find 4 months a stretch from what my mother has been telling me.

He is really fading quickly, but the oncologist suggested he try chemotherapy, because it might make him feel a bit better and could, perhaps, extend his life a bit. Bob is not wild about it, but decided he would give it a try.

Flash forward to today. After more than a week waiting for the prescription to be sure it would be paid for by insurance, Mom took a cab to the other side of town to pick the prescription up and take it to the pharmacy (back on their side of town). Shortly after she returned home, she gets a call from the pharmacist: THE INSURANCE HAS DECLINED TO PAY FOR THE PRESCRIPTION!!!

The man is dying from cancer and they won't pay for his chemo??? What is wrong with them? I know they figure it's cheaper to let him die, but it's monstrous. I can't imagine that ever happening here in France, no matter what warts exist on the system.

Ciao for now.

Randy

Library Month

Yesterday was the beginning of my second annual stint as substitute librarian. I did assume that we would be busy, both because it was Tuesday and because it was raining.

Tuesday is always a busy day, since the library has been closed for 3 days and everyone is desperate to check their email. The rain, of course, forces people to try to find SOMETHING to do that is not an outdoor activity.

Even with those factors, however, I was quite surprised to see how busy we actually were; I'm guessing that we had over 50 visitors during the day. And, not all of them were there for the internet. We have an exposition on bagpipes, so people have come to see that as well as to look at the books and various paintings that are on display. It made for a lively first day.

Besides the locals, there were also a large contingent of tourists, and amongst those were many whose faces I recognized from last year. So, it was a bit like old home week.

The rain has stopped for now, so I'll be curious to see if we retain our popularity this afternoon. If you are in the Possum Kingdom between now and the end of the month, do drop in to check out the library and say hello.

Ciao for now.

Randy

Gadget update

I was very impressed with the service I received from Cath Boutique where I ordered my cool garlic grater saucer. I ordered on Thursday and received it on Saturday! Needless to say, we had lots of dishes with freshly grated garlic for dinner Saturday night.

The saucer was simple to use, made a really finely grated garlic puree/paste that blended well into salad dressing and into butter, etc. for garlic bread. It was definitely worth the price, and although I ordered four of them, I immediately wound up selling three to friends!

It's a perfect hostess gift if you're looking for something unique and useful to give instead of the traditional candy/flowers/ etc.

Ciao for now.

Randy