Always in Flux in Everyday Ramblings

See the big moss covered tree to the left in this shot I took last April? Well over 100 years old and huge. It was a big part of the landscape of the block I live on.

They took it down yesterday. The city told the Condo Association that owns the land that it had rot at the core and was a danger. They had an independent arborist take a look and he agreed. So they pooled about $3,500.00 and seven young men came and spent the day bringing it down. It is so sad. But I saw the trunk, they were right.

Things are changing. There is going to be an apartment complex with retail underneath going in the big vacant lot that takes up the other half of our block which is up atop the stairs in the picture.. They will most likely pave the road up there that has never ever been paved.

I have enjoyed the quietness of living on a dead end road and so have “my” birds.

My dental surgery went well on Wednesday. It wasn’t fun but it is over. Now I have to go back this afternoon for an additional mold. Blech.

Oh well. It is what it is. One more appointment after that in a couple of weeks and I’ll be through this round. It is astonishing how much this cost, considering that I have insurance. It is maxed out now.

I want to get as much necessary work as can done before I retire in a little less than five years. I sure hope I keep my job until then. The next two years are the “danger zone” where it is too soon to collect any retirement benefits and Medicare won’t be available until I am 65.

The doctors gave my oldest sister this IV nutrition for weeks after she had her chemo and radiation crisis and ended up in the hospital for a month. Her Medicare and supplemental insurance don’t consider that as part of her cancer treatment even though it kept her alive and are not going to pay for it. Amazing!

I know we all know the system is broken but the toll it takes on individuals is pretty intense. And all the hidden back stories. One of the many reasons I need to keep my job is to help her pay her bills.

Oh speaking of medical supplies, I gave all my leftover supplies to my cat sitter and she did an absolutely fantastic job of distributing them where needed. Apparently there is a shortage of veterinary IV fluids out there right now and a price spike because of that and a desperate couple with a very sick kidney cat here in Portland (with fluids on backorder) are using the extra bags I had from Sammy.

And I had one unopened package of one particular drug that my vet took back yesterday for a credit with a hearty…when you are ready for your next cat, do let us know!

And I will.

When I am ready.