Tomorrow At Old South Meeting House

The Old South Meeting House hosts "Middays Talk" that address a particular topic over the course of a given month.  November is going to address "The War of 1812", so you know I'm in!

Tomorrow, Thursday, November 1st at 12:15pm, I'll be front and center for the 1st in the series.

Why should We Care about the War of 1812?  

The War of 1812 nearly destroyed the United States. The enemy blockaded the coast and burned the capital, and New England threatened to secede. But the United States emerged from this disastrous war stronger than before. The War of 1812 did not bring Canada into the Union, as its promoters had promised, but it brought the new nation a sense of unity and purpose, with heroes such as Hull, Decatur, and MacDonough, a timeless symbol in "Old Ironsides," and a national anthem. 

Join us for a lecture by historian and authorRobert Allison to kick off this lively series! $6; Free for OSMH Members and members of the USS Constitution Museum

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I always enjoy lectures by Robert Allison.  Let's see what he can do with this subject!

HIDDEN CAM PRANK!! OBAMA-STYLE HALLOWEEN!

My Great Uncle Jim

*******UPDATE**********
10/15/2012
So this email came late last night and I am just now talking to my mother about it.  She confirmed some stuff I thought I remembered.  I feel I have to write this down for my cousins and my children.

Jim was my mother's favorite uncle.  She remembers her grandfather, Mike (Big Mike whose bed frame is in the cottage and I always call dibs on that bed) and her Uncle Danny coming to this house I am sitting in now.  They came to the back door which was in a different place back then.  She said she can still picture Danny bending down to come in the door because he was so tall.  He was the tallest of the seven brothers, who were all six foot or taller, and soon to leave and join the Marines.

It was a Sunday so my grandfather was home when they came down for the top of Bunker Hill to Elm Street.  When they told Papa Kelley that Jim was dead, my mother, who was just a little shy of five years old, ran and hid.  She ran to a closet in the living room that is now a bookcase to hide from this news and cry.

My great grandfather, Big Mike was very superstitious.  He told his family that earlier that morning he got up to answer the doorbell.  As he walked to the door he saw Jim's hat and knew he was dead because when he opened the door no one was there.  I think the hat was on a bed because growing up I thought hats on a bed were bad luck.  I must have been misinterpreting the story.  It wasn't the hat on the bed, it was seeing the hat when no one was at the door.

Later people came to tell my grandfather that Jim went back inside and was briefly seen leading a woman toward an exit.  They must have been overcome by the deadly fumes because Jim was not burned at all.

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In a little under eight weeks on November 28th, we will observe the 70th anniversary of the Cocoanut Grove Fire.  My grandfather, Papa Kelley lost his brother James.  So, of course, I never met him.  However, Papa Kelley's other brothers made sure I knew about him and his courage.

Bill Durette of the Charlestown Veterans' History Project just sent me a copy of an article referencing SSGT James Kelley of Charlestown.

 My Great Uncles Joe & John sent me on missions to the Boston Public Library fiche room.  It was there that I read an article about how Jim got his date out of the club and went back in for others.  It's possible he got out and went in a second time, but that was never clear.  But in the end he perished in that tragic blaze.  People came to my grandfather to tell him of Jim's heroism.

John and Joe served in the Army as did George and Tim.  John served in Europe, Joe spent most of the war state-side only getting to France just after the invasion.  Tim was in Australia and George was doing intelligence work in China.  Tom was in the Merchant Marine and somewhere along the line the Defense Department began to count their service too.  So all together seven of the eight Kelley brothers served.  My grandfather was turned down because of his age and young children.  However, the two that were lost, Jim and Danny were in the Marines.  Danny was killed at Iwo Jima.

Boston has what they call "Hero Squares" that are dedicated to those who gave their lives in the service of our nation.  At the top of Bunker Hill, the square formed by Bunker Hill Street and Mead Street and North Mead Street is named for my Great Uncles Jim and Danny.

October 12, 2000

Terrorism didn't start for America on 9/11.  Never forget the USS Cole DDG-67 and her crew and her Captain.

But after you've raised your glass and made your toast........... remember you can kick us...... but this is what the crew played as she left that hellhole of a harbor in Yemen...... 

Hey Biden, You're No LLoyd Bentsen

God!  VP Biden was such a clown.  His behavior last night was shameful.  I despair.

Where the *^$&* Have I Been?

So yeah, I have totally been ignoring the blog.  Which is funny since I have been doing blog things.

When I am not sleeping or trying to straighten out some insurance/prescription problem.....I've been having fun.

Really, the most I've done is Tweet.  It fits my attention span, ya know.

So....on to fun.  I've been catching some movies and you know how I love movies!  I belong to a group that attends movie screening.  So I am usually seeing movies about a week or two before their release.  I should write reviews for them here and maybe I'd have a better shot at getting a reserved seat, but, whatever.

I thought "End of Watch" was a really good cop movie.  This is my GoFoBo review.

But I LOVED "Lawless"!  I read afterwards that at one point the wanted Ryan Gosling for the Tom Hardy role.  that would have been ridiculous!

I was late for my intended movie Monday, so I just went into "Pitch Perfect" and liked it much more than I would have guessed.  the star, Anna Kendrick was also in "End of Watch", busy girl!

The most fun was "Expendables 2".  Although it didn't have the same perks as when I saw the "Expendables" back in 2010 at the CineBistro in Tampa with The Commander.  It's an over 21 theatre that serves food and drinks at your seat.  Coke in a glass, fresh popcorn in a bowl, brought to your seat and set on the little table. Randolph has the premium seats, but this is a whole theater like that.  No kids jumping over the little barrier into the top 10 rows.  I am not sure what I liked better, the movie or the cinema.  Kidding.  Bruce Willis is worth any seat.

Last night I saw "Argo", but I'll write about that later.

Any in between I went to Sniper's OctoberFest in Winchester, VA.  Please, please, please click this link to Uncle Jimbo's review.  I loved his Samantha!  Have a party....I'll show up.

And of course, here was the whole Revere Memorial Lecture Series at the Old South Meetinghouse.  "A War So Unpopular...cannot be Supported": New England and the War of 1812"  And I wasn't alone!  I love that Boston is such a great history town.

Tonight's Charlestown Historical Society Lecture

Tonight was a tough choice, the Old South Meeting House was hosting "Ghosts of Boston: Haunts of the Hub" Book Launch Celebration for author Sam Baltrusis.  You know I love ghost stories and I am a member of @OSMHBoston ........ but, come on, the competition was Charlestown!

Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride: The Real Truth-Sept 18

Learn the real truth about Paul Revere and his Midnight ride to warn the Patriots that the British were coming. Actually the regulars were coming as everyone was British at that point. Who leaked the top secret British plan to seize the munitions in Lexington and Concord? Did Journey begin in Boston or in Charlestown? Who directed Paul to make the ride? Did he act alone or with others?  Did Revere make it to Lexington and Concord? Who was the real hero on the night of April 18, 1775? Learn the truth from Carl Zellner who has accumulated knowledge, books and files for over 30 years. His research includes a handwritten account by Paul Revere himself.  He will present his findings on Tuesday September 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bunker Hill Museum. The entrance fee is $5:00, members of the Charlestown Historical Society and Charlestown Preservation Society attend for free.

It was a good pick!  First off, on my way, I met up with my Uncle Walter and his partner Tom.  I laughed because my mother said something earlier about me walking home alone in the dark.  Well, now that was no problem!  Secondly Tom works at the Bunker Hill Florist and knows everybody, so I had inside info on people I didn't know.  

The lecture itself was very interesting.  Mr. Zellner, the official historian of the Charlestown Historical society, contrasted the Oliver Wendell Holmes poem with the actual events.  He also put the famous ride in context with present day landmarks.  The time flew by.  I could have listened to many more questions and answers.

Next month's lecture is October 16, 2012 same time same place.  Joe Bagley, City Archaeologist of Boston will speak on the Archaeology Month Presentation.  My schedule is a little murky right now, but if i can, I'll be there.

In the meantime, tomorrow is the 3rd lecture in the Paul Revere Memorial Lecture series on the War of 1812.  "Salem Privateers and the War of 1812", 6:30pm at the Old South Meeting House.  My

Even When I Try

So I have been having problems with my insurance almost since I went into treatment for the second time in August of 2010.  It's been so ridiculous because dealing with insurance companies is what I did for a living for 16 years.  But in this regard, I have had a black cloud over everything to do with my coverage.

So I gave up and applied to the Commonwealth for help.  And in December I get Medicare. 

I had two last things to resolve.  The refund of my July premium and reimbursement for some prescriptions out of pocket.  This should have been fairly simple, I know all the rules, I mailed/faxed all the correct forms and supporting documentation. I treated it like work - files, notes, copies, the whole 9 yards.

So this morning I resolved to make phone calls and nail this stuff down.  I got up and showered and went right back to my room.  No screwing around on the Internet.  No going down to the first floor and stealing cookies.  (Last night and I made snickerdoodles - yumm.)  Nose to the grindstone.  Phone calls, phone calls, notes, phone calls.  And I did.  I cleaned my room.  Made some personal phone calls

Finally around 4:30 I gave up.  Besides, I was hungry.  So I went down to the 1st floor.

Sitting on the dining room table was a check, resolving one of these matters.

Seriously?  I was just on the phone getting transferred around, repeating my story.  And none of them knew it had been adjudicated.  No one said "Go down and check your mail."

Ok, so tomorrow is another project.  Hopefully, it's a better use of my time.

Hurray For Being A PackRat!

Yesterday I went to Revere Beach.  There was a strong wind from the south and I got sand everywhere.

EVERYWHERE!

I peeled off my bathing suit in the tub and there had to be a pound of sand in there.  After I showered I went down to clean all the stuff in my bag. For some reason I had my cell phone charger in the bag.  It's a two piece deal with the cord and the part that plugs into the wall.

The phone worked until it went dead, but it wouldn't charge.  I took off the end for the socket and plugged it into my laptop and got a white light - as opposed to the green or red.  So I figured it was the end that was the problem.

I went to sleep without my phone......that never happens.

Then today at lunch I remembered this basket I have of old chargers and parts.  I hurried through cleaning up after lunch - the Patriots were playing otherwise my Dad would have done it.  He hardly ever lets me clean up, so I had to finish.

I dumped out the basket, sorted through all the cords, tried a few.  Then finally I found another socket end.

Viola!

I will still go to Verizon to get a new proper end.  This one is charging, but when it's plugged in I can't use any phone functions. 

But for now.....I'm happy. 

Now it's back to cleaning my suitcase.  I was nice enough to loan some girl my sunscreen when I was in San Antonio.  She couldn't get the sprayer to work, so she wrenched open the bottle.  I tried to screw it back on properly, but it leaked all over stuff.  That was a good reminder of why I don't like to be nice.

Where Have I Been?

Lot's of places.  And all have been fun.  When I haven't been having fun, I've been sleeping.

The Thursday before Labor Day, I flew down to San Antonio for the #MilReunion.  Team M (Mary Ripley and I) were in the Omni de la Mansion on the Riverwalk thanks to William Shatner.  Our first night Mary wanted to go to Mi Tierra, a restaurant she knew she liked from a previous visit.  When we explained where we wanted to go, the 3 guys working valet got all excited.  Apparently they were fans too.  One in particular waxed rhapsodic about the sweet potato empanadas.  They offered to have one of them drive us in the hotel vehicle....a nice new Lincoln Navigator!  Well, it was worth the hype. We entered through the bakery and I expected a choir of angels to start singing!  The bakery case was huge!  After dinner, which was good and the waitress gave us a history of the place, it was bakery time!  I got sweet potato empanadas for the valet guys and apple danish for the morning.

Friday I headed down to the pool (with my apple danish) while Mary tried to get Verizon to fix her phone.  I sent out some messages to see what other people were doing. This is the great part about being part of an Internet based group, they are almost always connected!  I got a hit almost right away.  The Armorer and the Mistress of the Castle were headed to the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg.  I begged to come along.  There's Navy stuff wherever I go, even if I don't know it ahead of time.

The Nimitz Museum was awesome and we got a special tour thanks to the Armorer.  But my favorite part was listening to the Armorer go from display to display saying "I've got that.  I've got one of those." and the like.  Hilarious.  If you have the chance, I highly recommend it.....even if you don't have the special tour guide.  He also recommended a great lunch place.  He was full service!

It was a long day and a late lunch, so we ended up going straight to the Soldiers' Angels warehouse or the Friday night festivities.  it was great seeing everyone who was able to make it.  Tom Goering and wife Bonnie; Sherri the Domestik Diva; the Loopy Libertarian; Wendy of MyMilitarylife, the crew from YouServed; Jihad Gene; Jean, Christina from Words for Warriors and lots of Soldiers' Angels.  And I finally got to meet Old Blue, after reading his blogs AfghanQuest and AfghanBlueIII. Just as interesting in person as in his blogs.

Then I got in trouble.......raffle tickets.  They sold raffle tickets to benefit Soldiers' Angels Valour-IT Project.  Jihad Gene bought a bunch and all I had to do was keep track of them. I brought them safely back to the hotel.

The next day was the main event.  Panels on the future of MilBlogging and how it will help/effect our military.  During the lunch break Tom Goering brought me his old laptop that he had cleared out and reloaded for me!  How awesome is that!  But the day's highlight was the awarding of several special laptops to wounded soldiers who would benefit from the technology. It was such an honor to be there and have the chance to applaud these fine young men. 

Then it was time for the raffle drawing.  Guess who had no tickets?  That's right,  I left them on the table in the hotel room.  They had to draw three times to give away the prize because the first two numbers were clearly in the long strip that Jihad Gene had purchased. But Jihad Gene still loves me looong time and I love him too!  Later that evening at dinner I gave the strip of tickets to Bouhammer.

At dinner I was seated across from Old Blue and it was a good spot.  He was quick on the draw.  Someone asked if we were "together" and he quickly answered "No, I'm not in the Navy!"  There were about 24 of us that night at the "Texas Land and Cattle Company".  It's a chain, but my steak was fabulous.  And with Old Blue holding forth on the subject of Afghanistan (I was riveted), I got to eat it while it was hot! 

A lot of my friends were shipping out the next day, but Mary and I were hanging until Tuesday. So Sunday was all about the Alamo.  It was great to explore it with no deadline.   On the way back to the Riverwalk we stopped in the Texas Ranger Museum and Buckthorn Saloon.  All the while confusing Bouhammer because my "check-ins" and tweets were delayed.  But he and his family did catch up with us at Iron Cactus - Mexican Donuts!!!!! .  We discussed the weekend and the upcoming Ripley Race.  That's when I found out where I will be this Veterans Day.  Buffalo for AUSA Western New York Chapter "1st Annual WNY Veterans Day 5K".

That's right - The Ripley Race on November 4th then The WNY Veteran's Day 5K on November 11th.  mind you, I am not running them.  At the The Ripley Race I stand behind the table and stuff bags.  In Buffalo, I'll be handing out poppies to participants as they cross the finish line.

So, I have to wrap this up now because I did a lot of stuff today and I am wiped.  More later.

It's 69 Degrees In Charlestown

The Bunker Hill Pool is nearly empty.  I remembered everything, snack, drink, hat, everything.

This is the perfect calm before the storm of traveling to San Antonio tomorrow.

If you aren't in San Antonio this Labor Day weekend....too bad for you, lol.

I'm on the fabulous smart phone, so no links.

Hanging At The Cottage

Enjoying friends and music and delicious weather.  This weeks tide is perfect.

Where Will You Be Today At Noon?

If you are not at the USS Constitution Museum in the Charlestown Navy Yard, you will be missing out!

Constitution vs. Guerriere: What Really Happened?

Commander Tyrone G. Martin, US Navy (Ret.)

12:00 Noon

USS Constitution Museum - Lecture Series

Commander Martin, former Commanding Officer of USS Constitution, will share the story of Constitution’s battle with HMS Guerriere, during which she earned her nickname, “Old Ironsides.”

CDR Martin is the author of "A Most Fortunate Ship: A Narrative History of Old Ironsides" which is available from the Naval Institute Press.

Also, I made five dozen chocolate chip/M&M cookies to share will my fellow attendees.

What more could you ask? Cookies & history, huzzah!

Newark Airport

I wrote this Thursday the 9th in the wee hours - I couldn't post it for some reason, so I am posting it now.

I'm on my way to Annapolis for some fun with my peeps in the Naval  Blogosphere/CHINFO/USNI world.

Right now I'm just past Newark Airport.  I've only been twice, to and from Dubai back in 2003.  But I always smile when I pass by.  Tomorrow will be 9 years to the day.  My Tommy drove down with me to take the car back.

There were flights out of Boston but they were madly expensive.  The Sailor formerly known as The Favorite Naval Consort told me to check Malaysia Air.  Sure enough it was half the price.

I remember  packing and having him on the phone scaring me about my bags being too heavy.  I had visions of having to leave shoes at Newark, lol.  I was so nervous I told the guy checking my bags at the counter.  He had just saved me from being trampled by a little Indonesian man.  I was one of very few Americans.  I had watched him push past a few sari clad women.  Then he tried to push past me.  Before I could object, the Malaysia Air counter attendant called out to tell the man to step back, I was next.  Anyway, after he weighed my bags he said I was well under the weight limit. "Do you want to go home and get more shoes?" he asked laughing.

I passed and got on my flight. It was twelve and a half hours.  The stewardess came every half hour to offer orange juice, water or wine   I stuck with orange juice and water.  The tiny woman who sat cross legged swathed in billowy layers drank every glass of wine offered.  And she never got up once!  I was doing laps around the plane for fear of embolism!

Anyway, that's why Newark Airport makes me smile.

My Mother Jinxed Me

And then doubled over with laughter.  She had to grab one of the kitchen chairs.

Humph!

I was, once again, on the phone with my favorite people at Commonwealth Choice and Blue Cross.

You see when I was first diagnosed, we had one of those cadillac plans from Blue Cross.  It had $5.00 co-pays.  I remember that my physical therapist for the Achilles tendon was agog.  But it was really overkill and wicked expensive for my boss.  So they we found another, more reasonable plan for everyone but me.  Instead of joining them, they payed me what the premium would have been for me and I could shop elsewhere.

Now here is an aspect of Romney Care that is a very good idea and should be replicated in every state.  There are three tiers to coverage.  Mass Health for those who truly can't afford insurance.  Commonwealth Cares for those who made to much to qualify for Mass Health, but would still be struggling.  It's a plan whose costs are supplemented by the Commonwealth.  The third option is Commonwealth Choice.  This is for people who have the money to buy their own coverage, but for one reason or another they are buying on their own.  The Connector gives the Commonwealth Choice people group buying power.  You can review the plans and pick what fits you.

So I picked a top of the line plan.  No lifetime max.  No calendar year max.  No deductible.  No co-insurance.  $25 co-pays and a good pharmacy benefit.  I knew what was coming and I didn't want to be left holding the bag.  $515 per month and my boss paid half.  I had a good job and had no problem affording it.

But then in June, 2010, I stopped working.  Slowly it became difficult to keep up on disability.  People asked why I struggled to keep it, especially when the premium jumped to $800.88 per month. My response was that I was getting top of the line care and I should do my part.

Then last summer, I realized that I could get a grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to cover my premiums.  Back before I chemo, I would have realized this a lot faster.....but...whatever.

Now though, even that's a problem.  the premium has jumped to $845 and every single month except May there is some kind of problem.  Even with a good pharmacy plan I am still shelling out $200 to $300 per month in co-pays.  So finally I filled out the paperwork for Mass Health.  In June there was a problem that caused me to be cancelled and now, even though the Connector has all the money they won't reinstate me.

This month, like every month, I call.  And call.  And call.  First the Connector, 20 minutes, no result.  Then nearly 30 minutes with Blue Cross.  It seemed the person at Blue Cross was going to fix it.  He kept putting me on hold.  My mother saunters out into the kitchen where I am sitting. 

"Are you on hold?" she asks.  "Yes" I reply.  "You know there's no reason to be on hold.  He's not doing anything."  I protest that Ryan can take all the breaks he wants because he said he can fix the problem.

"He's lying." she says.

Ryan comes back on the line at this point and starts to apologize.  I stare daggers at my mother and jab my finger in her direction.

That's when the laughter started.

I hang up and call Mass Health to check on my application.  The girl is unhelpful, dull and breathing noisily in my ear.  She says new applications are sent to Charlestown.  I already know this from work.  Mass Health is in the Schraffts Building down the street.  The Mass Health clerk asks where I am.  "Charlestown" I reply.

"What?"  Charlestown I repeat.  "What?"  "C-H-A-R-L-E-S-T-O-W-N."  "Where?"  "The place they send all the new applications." I say, taking a different tack.  "What are you doing there?"

"I live here!"

My mother enjoyed that one too.

What's The Big Deal About A Guy Who Makes Chicken Sandwiches?

That's the question my liberal/progressive friends and acquaintances are posing to me in the wake of the "Chick-Fil-A" controversy. 

The answer is so simple and obvious that I have to laugh.  They must be asking tongue-in-cheek!

First off, opposing gay marriage is not a radical position.  Approximately half of America feels the same way.  why, their own "Dear Leader" held the same position a mere three or four months ago.  And Obama was only moved off of his previous position be yet another Biden gaffe.  Where were all the "kiss-in" people back in April?

And even if it was a radical idea, Dan Cathy still engaged in what we like to refer to as "Free Speech".  You know that little right that the Founding Fathers thought was so important that they put it in the First Amendment. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Now, granted, Mayor Menino didn't enact a law that abridged Dan Cathy's right to free speech.  But don't you get the feeling that he would have if he could have?

It doesn't matter what your feelings are about gay marriage or civil unions.  All that should matter is that one man expressed his opinion and the highest government official in the City of Boston retaliated.

As my favorite Mayor used to say "Muth-ra-Gawd!"

So yes, we are at war and we have crushing unemployment and bad economic news every quarter.  Yet plenty of us on both sides of these social issues care a great deal about the "Chick-fil-a" business.  Because it was blatant and right in our face.  And we were able to speak out definitively.  I can't act in response to unemployment or foreign policy.  I can't fight our nation's battles.  I can't solve our economic woes.  However, I can fly a flag to support our nation.  I can donate to charities to help my fellow citizens.  I can buy a sandwich in support of free speech.

Because for the majority there is no gray area here.  He gets to say what he wants.  You are free to disagree.  And neither of you should be threatened by the Mayor of Boston.

If people don't like his opinion, they are free to boycott him.  But the Mayor should not be interfering with the man's business. 

Grace Gets Mad When I Say This...

But sometimes you have to call a RETARD a RETARD.

Now I am not talking about people whose I.Q.s below 100.  I am talking about people who brag about their degrees but then say something completely idiotic.

If I say to you that I was diagnosed with a "FATAL" cancer.  That I am lucky to have gotten this 18 to 24 months remission.

Don't tell me in saccahrine tones "I wish you a speedy recovery".

Retard.

My Day Was Covered In Awesome Sauce

...and sun tan oil!  I ran my errands.  I hooked a ride back from Thompson Square with my cousin Danny.  I hooked a ride up the Bunker Hill Pool with my Dad.  I swam and sunned.

Dear You-know-who-you-are,

Hahahahahahaha!  *gasp  for air*  hahahahaha *holding my sides* hahahahahahaha.

Thanks for the laugh.  *snicker*

And if anyone else needs a laugh, go read @JDurant52.  This is the Twitter feed of a Detroit Lions linebacker.

Justin Durant ‏@JDurant52

"So people not gon get the best chicken sammich and lemonade on the planet because of a personal belief? Word?"

Followed by

"Chicken too tasty RT @ThatStatBoy: @JDurant52 Would you boycott Chick Fil A if the owner came out and said slavery was a good idea?"

I Don't Get It....

....how was I late?  I had nothing scheduled for today except dinner with My Marine.  I enjoyed a leisurely manicure and pedicure.

But somehow I couldn't get out of my own way.  I couldn't find my glasses. I tripped over the phone charger and had to sit on the floor and feel bad for myself.

Then I realized I hadn't picked up my blouse from the dry cleaners.  I couldn't find the tank top I wear with it.  So when I got to the dry cleaners, I had to slip in the fitting room and change.  Then I was stuck with the tank.

When I got to the Navy Yard I hid it behind a bush.  Lol.  I picked it up on my way home.

So I was late.  I swear he jinxed me so he would have something to tease me about.

I thought we were going to the Tavern on the Water, but My Marine was waiting for me at a perfect outside table at The Bistro.

The waitress even teased me for making him wait.  We enjoyed house salads and the flank steak special   For dessert I picked the bread pudding du jour.....S'Mores.  Right up my cousin Jessica's alley!  Delicious!

Of course the draw is the conversation.  It"s like having a tutor who adores me.  What could be better?  And he loves my Navy Yard.

Although I found out that while I was out I missed seeing "The Best Years Of Our Lives" for the 84th time.  I should have cooked dinner and we could have watched the movie.

Don't worry my Dad has boxes and boxes of Kleenex in the cellar.

I Know I'm Late To This....

...but the Nabisco Saltine thing.  It's finally hit the McInnis household.  My Dad makes chicken soup (awesome homemade chicken soup) at least once a week.  And today, there were no Nabisco Saltines. 

Hello?

It seems in December, 2011 Nabisco decided to make the saltines round.  So we tried them.  I didn't realize that this meant there were no square ones.  My Dad does all the shopping and he buys in bulk.  When the Zombie Apocalypse happens, we will be able to make brownies for a long time.  And we will have plenty of toilet paper.

The result of all this careful shopping means that the Great Saltine Crisis - look it up on the Internet, people are mad - didn't hit us until nine months after the change.

I've looked online to see what's going on.  Besides the change, there were two more added insults.  First, you are paying the same price for five and a half fewer ounces.  And as a last little slap, it is labelled "Original".  Um, no it's not.

So I guess I will have to hit the little "Mom & Pop" places to see if there are any squares out there.  And I suppose I will look online.  When I used to dye my hair red, my favorite conditioner was discontinued.  I was able to get enough online to go another two years.

The Laptop Is Back!

It works and I am all set up for MidRats in a few minutes.

Of course, we've lost the element of portability.  I can't close it because the hinges are broke.  But that's fine.  I am just so happy to have it back, I don't care.

So,I got an email from someone who wants to do a guest post.  I think it’s a great idea, so you’ll see that soon.

Still Posting From The Smaahht Phone

Between the tiny keys and my tremor - it ain't easy!

The sun has just come out.....too late swim.  Bummer.

I've been thinking a lot about the summer of 2008.  That's when I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.  July was the month that I learned about MM and the difference between IgA, IgG, IgM and the others.  July was the month I was telling people.

I am sitting here in the 18th of my "18 to 24 month remission" reading my July, 2008 posts On July 19, 2008 I posted about the books I was reading and the books I had no time for.  I joked that I would get to "Guns, Germs and Steel" in 2012.  Lol!  It's in the other room!  Finally I met a deadline.

Of course I said that believing I wouldn't be here four years into it.  But I am.

Blueberries.... Bananas..... Apples

What would you like in/on your pancakes?

Oh, I can't choose!

I made all of them and we ate till we couldn't eat anymore.

Now I have to get ready for the beach.  High tide is 2:23.  Hope the bathing still fits after this morning's pancake extravaganza!

We Were Cooking With Gas!

The gas tank on the grill was empty and I was sad.  You see, I have no car.  How would I get more gas?  But there was a full one by the lawnmower.  We were saved!

There were ribs and marinated chicken strips and stuff!

Tomorrow there will be steaks and sausage and burgers.

Yum!

"I'll Have 'On The Beach' For $200, Please"

What is "A great Gregory Peck movie"?

What is "A book I have to read"?

What is "Me?"

It is beautiful here today. I am roasting in the warm New England summer.....basting myself with Coppertone.....and it's not a high number.

 I have friends coming to stay.  I hope they're hungry, because I bought a ridiculous amount of food.

Miss Me?

Yeah, I haven't been here. I still haven't gotten my hands on my laptop yet so no blogging. But lots of tweeting!! Soon I will be down the cottage and I will have the laptop.

In the meantime I'm still having adventures. Tomorrow I'm going to a social media event hosted by @MGraham969. That's right, I am headed over to WTKK to meet Michael Graham for the second time.

He won't remember the first. We were at a protest against Harvard hosting former Iranian president Khatami.

Tomorrow's event will feature NRO's Jonah Goldberg.

Sorry there are no links but this is the Droid.

Had A Problem At The Pharmacy Today

It actually started yesterday. You see, I have to plan out my days. For example, I knew last Friday was going to be strenuous, so napped that day. So in planning for the 4th of July, I scheduled my errands for Monday. That would leave Tuesday for laying around conserving energy for Wednesday. But it didn't work out for me. You see after I ran all my errands, I took the train to Haymarket. I was trying to get off the crowded car through two jackasses (jackassi?) who were standing too close to the doors. People behind me were starting to push. Picture someone squeezing a tube of toothpaste. One of my bags caught on "doorway guy" luggage pulling me back while the crowd surged forward. Tbe result? I can within an inch of kissing the floor of platform and the contents of the bag stayed on the train. I hope someone enjoys that stupid Fekkia shampoo I felt guilty about buying because it was so expensive. I also lost two prescriptions. So, even though I was tired, I had to go back to the pharmacy today. I got there around half past four. Two hours later, after my team had left, the pharmacist decided he couldn't fill it. I was upset. I asked why they hadn't come up with this earlier....you know when people who could help were still available Astonishingly enough, all three of the pharmacy workers left started giving excuses. I have never come across such behavior at the hospital. I was incredulous! I put up my hand. "I don't want to hear any more." One of the three kept talking. I was flabbergasted! "Do you understand what 'I don't want to hear any more' means?" She kept talking. So I said "I guess you don't." She kept talking. I asked "Do you always have to have the last word?" "Yes, ma'am" she replied. Then, miracle of miracles, someone called the hematology oncologist on call. The pharrmacist gave him the story and in one second got approval. I hope that woman enjoyed taunting me as I cried in frustration and exhaustion because Thursday I start making phone calls. Miss Smartie Pants is going to find out who she fucked with.

Stealing Some Laptop Time To Tell You....

.....my laptop is fixed!!!!  Don't tell my Dad I have his laptop.

I still have to get it back, but Steve, our computer guru has it running.

I am so happy.  I could only be happier if the Navy were coming to visit me...oh wait!

They are!  Friday night is the Sunset Parade, hosted by USS Constitution.  Come join us.

I will be down the Navy Yard to welcome the USS Gravely (DD 107); the USS Wasp (LHD 1) and all the others!

Ship Visit schedule here.

So, I Got Two Phone Calls About My Laptop

Because I have been MIA from the blog.  So people think it's laptop trouble.

And it is....kinda.  But it's also that I have been asleep most of the time.  So I have been on Twitter more than anything else.  Taking my news in small bites.

This crap with Elizabeth Warren is enough to make anyone take to their bed!

I'll try to do better.

You May Want Some Cheese With This

I have no one to blame but myself, but I sure do wish I had someone else to blame.

I am so messed up.  Somehow I missed my morning medication on Thursday.  Which meant I laid around, got nothing done and followed that with something like 20 hours of sleep. 

Then I was so groggy I forgot Friday's meds......slept more.....and forgot Saturdays.

I took them when I woke today....but that was 3pm.

Now it's 11:30 and I am going to have to force myself to sleep.

When I am awake, I am fighting with the laptop.  I love this laptop.  It has accompanied on so many adventures.  It was a gift from a good, good friend, Mary and her brothers.  It was my constant companion during chemo, the transplant and the recovery.  About a year ago, Mary asked if I still used it.  I replied that it slept on the other pillow in my bed, like a lover.  LOL!

But little things have been going wrong.  The battery won't hold a charge despite changing the battery and the charger.  And I got a virus, and after cleaning it, there was damage.  It's hijacked my search capability and I've lost files and Flash.

Don't get me wrong, I won't give up, and if I fix it, it will still be useful plugged into the wall......but the time for a new portable device is in the near future.

Speaking of new things, I finally broke down and got a Kindle.  Holy crap!  What was I waiting for.  I paid $50 for a refurbished device with an Amazon Local deal. Very happy.

So, I'm off to bed.  My Dad is on alert to remind me about the morning meds.

Last Minute Change-Up

My Battleship plans have been shifting as if made on sand.  I've been looking forward to watching the US Navy save the world from aliens.

First I was going with my brother Frankie and my nephews on Tuesday.  Frankie backed out.

Fine! (that's my bratty answer when my plans are thwarted)

So I headed downtown for the 5:30 show Wednesday.  But...I got a little distracted, buying blueberries and stopping to tweet about the guy proselytizing at the top of his lungs in Downtown Crossing.  So I got there a few minutes late.  But that was fine because it was showing every hour.  So I was checking out the other movies to see what I could fit in before a later Battleship showing.  I noticed a line queued against the far wall.  I asked the ticket sellers - there was no one in line for the two registers - "What's going on?"  They had no idea.  Which was weird.  They weren't selling tickets for it, they didn't know what the movie was about or when it started.

So I walked up to the head of the line and asked.  It was a free preview of "For Greater Glory, the True Story of Christiada".  They offered me a ticket and I got in line.  It was starting at 7pm with seating to begin at 6pm.  Someone in the line said the film was a little under two hours.  The closest Battleship showing was 8:45pm.  I figured with all the previews, I could probably make it.  So I got that ticket too.

I was seated a few minutes after six and pulled out my latest read "Guns, Germs and Steel".

The movie was awesome.  It's about a time in the last century when the Mexican government tried to outlaw religion.  There were clashes between the government forces and Catholics fighting for religious freedom.  I was so moved.  And of course, as a Catholic, I felt it on another level.  Really good movie, two thumbs up.

One tiny, itsy-bitsy beef.  President Calvin Coolidge.  Bruce McGill?  Bad fit.  Distracting for this history nerd.

But.......it wasn't under two hours.....it was two hours and seventeen minutes!  So they refunded my Battleship ticket and I try again Tuesday.

My Life Is An O'Henry Story

UPDATE:  As My Marine just pointed out - It's O. Henry.  I want an O'Henry....desperately.  No, everyone is not Irish, they just wish they were.

The Internet connection is fabulous.  The laptop has a virus.

Hero Squares

Today I attended the dedication of two "Hero Squares" in Charlestown.  The first was at the corner of Belmont and Bunker Hill Streets.  It was dedicated to 2nd Lt George R Meehan who enlisted from a home two doors up from his corner.  Lt Meehan was a member of the 1st Infantry Division who was mortally wounded on October 5th 1918 in France during WWI.

The picture above was poached from the Twitter feed of Danielle V Fitzgerald (@dvallefitz), a Townie & Mayor Menino's neighborhood liaison to Charlestown.

The second "Hero Square" was dedicated on the corner of Pearl and Bunker Hill Streets in honor of PFC Philip J Foley who was killed in WWII during the Battle of the Bulge. Philip was born on July 17^th 1916 and lived on School, Cross and Pearl Streets in Charlestown. He was the son of Edward and Helen Foley and was one of three brothers that served in WWII. During the war Philip was a paratrooper with the 82^nd Airborne Division, “The All American Division.”

 

In the picture below a certificate commemorating the event was presented to Pfc Philip Foley's family.

In this picture the Foley family posed with Bill Durette, the Military Historian for the Charlestown Historical Society.  Bill, in addition to doing all the research on Charlestown's military history, is a WWII renenactor. He is also responsible for all the information I have just blogged and three of the four pics on this post.

The next opening of the Charlestown Veterans History Project Exhibit Hall at 20 City Square will take place on Saturday May 26th between 1:00PM – 4:00PM to commemorate Memorial Day. Several new exhibits will be on display. Persons are invited to come down and register any Veteran who came from Charlestown who served in WWI, WWII and Korea. thanks to Bill Durette of Charlestown Veterans History Project.

How Happy Am I?

THIS HAPPY!!!!!

My parents have finally consented, after nineteen, long, expensive months.......

TO LET ME GET THE INTERNET!!!!

The most delicious feeling coursed through my body at the words "You are now connected to the network.  Signal strength: Excellent"

I Know What My Marine Is Going To Say....

... but seriously!

While waiting for my train back to Boston, I popped in the Union Station "WOMEN"s room.  From inside my stall I heard men's voices.  What the...

I heard a surprised woman's voice "This is the ladies.  The men's is on the other side."  They laughed at her and said that was too far.  Then they entered stalls.

I came out of my stall and saw the woman.  She wasn't coming all the way in.  She stayed by the entrance.  I asked "Are there men in here?" She replied in the affirmative.

I went out and saw two men standing near the corridor.  I asked them to flag down the police officer near the seating area.  They said "What?  Police?" a couple of times.  I didn't get it immediately.

Then the two assclowns came out of the "Women"s room and I saw all four were together. 

I reprimanded the two who were in the ladies room and ......  They.  Gave. Me.  Lip. "What?  Is your ass cleaner than ours?" one asked as he walked toward me.  I think I was supposed to be intimidated and back up.

Please.

I walked right at him.

 I said "Don't talk back.  You were wrong and ignorant.  And you are picking the wrong fight, jackass!"  I began to walk towards the police officer.  One told me to "Chill."  I told him to call his mother and tell her what a CREDIT he was.

There were three others guys from a cleaning crew.  One must have said something because the four stopped. spoke to him and stayed near him even when the cleaning guy backed up.

I walked up to the police officer and gave my complaint.  I pointed toward the group.  "Now they are hassling your cleaning crew."

Then I walked off toward a seat.  After the police officer spoke with them, they headed for the furthest gate.  I don't know if it was the police officer's suggestion or if they had just had enough of the crazy woman.  Either way it was a good idea.  The bag on my shoulder had two pair of high heels.....one to chuck at each of their heads.

I'm Here....

at the hotel. 

Everything went great until the Amtrak people made me walk and walk.  But it was fine, because just when I couldn't step another step......a Marine met me at Ballston and carried my bag to the hotel.

The pool at the Arlington Gateway is closed until 4 pm.  Boo!

I'm tired and hungry and I can't make a decision.

BTW, the endocrinologist just called.  The methimazole is working.  So my hair will stop falling out.

On balance, it's a good day.

Tonight will be the Milbloggies.  I am nominated, but didn't really pimp it.  I want Pundit Review radio to win.

Same with the Donovan.  We're hoping his category goes to Lex.

As Alannis Says.....

At 6:35 am I will board a plane and head down to the 2012 MilBlog Conference.

You may say "But Maggie, you rarely blog.  And of the few posts, not many are related to the military."

Yeah, yeah, yeah.  As I told The Donovan during the 1st Milblog "I'm here for the pahties!"

Besides, I have to go handle that Blackfive guy.  He's forcing people to tweet about how "dead sexy" he is.

Congratulations Captain Michael Junge, USN (sel)

Big news in my world!  And the Naval Blogosphere!  And probably Mike's house.....

Nomination: PN1472-112
Date Received: March 19, 2012 (112th Congress)
Nominee: One nomination, beginning with Michael Junge, and ending with Michael Junge
Referred to: Senate Armed Services

If you want to read some of Mike's musings you can head over to this guest post at Information Dissemination; or this article in USNI's Proceedings.  Then there's always his Navy bio

Mike is also husband to the lovely and talented Paulette and Dad to my pals, Eva and Ella.

His friendship is one of the greatest gifts the blogoshpere has ever given me.

I am thrilled and proud to say I will be front and center in Newport for his promotion.  My sisters already found the perfect gift.  Although we will spend from now until then trying to figure out how to wrap it.

There will of course be pics because both of the Junges are very talented photographers.

Well That Was Useless!

The neurologist who thought my tremor was so awesome he filmed it, scheduled an MRI.  I am not kidding.  He filmed me holding my hands out straight, pouring water from one cup to another and stuff.

We talked about the tremor being somewhat present even on 120 mg of propranolol.  We can't increase the dose because it causes my blood pressure to drop.

Now what would my tremor have to do with an MRI?  Well, what do you have to do in an MRI?  You have to stay still.

Guess, what I can't do?  Stay still.  Two hours and tons of admonitions to "please stay still" all we got was blurry, useless images.

When they finally gave up we were so distracted that I almost left with my IV in place. 

My head hurt from being on that hard plastic for two hours.  I self medicated with a strawberry banana smoothie and some chocolate chip cookies.

I did a lot of walking through downtown and Haymarket.  Which of course, means I slept until nearly two this afternoon.

Name A Navy Ship After MOH Recipient Tom Hudner

***UPDATE - Secretary of The Navy Announces DDG 116 to be Named Thomas Hudner***After watching so many stupid names go on ships, this is a GREAT idea.




There is a movement afoot to name a US Navy ship after Medal of Honor recipient, Capt Thomas J. Hudner, USN (ret).

I can not tell you how pleased I am about this.  You can NOT name a more worthy candidate.

It's not political like naming a ship after John Warner.  It's not irrelevant like naming a ship after Gabby Gifford.  It's not outright stupid in the name of political correctness like naming a ship after Ceasar Chavez.  It's not offensive like naming a ship after John Murtha.

Capt Hudner is a Massachusetts native whose actions during the Korean conflict will really move you when you read them.  And I do encourage you to read the links I will leave at the bottom of this post.

I have had the great honor of meeting Capt Hudner on several occasions.  I've blogged about it, but I could never express how it makes me feel.

Please join  me in this effort and write to SecNav expressing your support.
Hon. Ray Maybus
Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon, Rm. 4D682
Washington, DC, 20350-1000

Read more about Capt. hudner at the following links

Valley Patriot of the Month - Hero in Our Midst
Captain Thomas J Hudner, Jr.
by Ted Tripp

Navy urged to name ship for living Bay State veteran
Written by Linden on April 15, 2012

Wikipedia - Thomas J. Hudner

Screaming Bloody Murder

This is a phrase commonly used in my family to describe someone yelling, screaming or even speaking out in protest.

Before today, I never really, really knew what it meant.

I was hanging with my pal, Griff.  We were strolling down Main Street and had to stop in our fav place, Zumes. 


As you enter Zume's, the counter is straight ahead, the back of a couch runs along the right and a little table with puzzles for kids is on your left.  So Griff goes right for the puzzles and I step up to the counter to order our cookies.  We aren't even two feet apart.  I am ordering cookies, but looking at Griff.  After raising that horrid Frankie, I know about escapees.

Suddenly, there is this horrible, incredibly piercing scream.  I have never heard anything like that.  It drilled right through me and I think for a sec I stopped breathing.  The clerk behind the counter looked completely shell shocked.  I was saying "Griff?  Griff?  What's wrong?".  Then I realize Griff is attached to my left leg.  I peel him off and lean down "Are you alright?  What's wrong?"  I thought he must have pinched something or something bit him.

But from the look of horror on his face.....I get it.  It's not him.  Griff didn't scream.  In fact, the scream is still happening but his mouth is not open.  Plus, he's just as afraid as I am, lol.  That's when we all see this baby who is on the couch three feet from us.  Maybe eighteen months old. incredibly, the baby begins to laugh.

I paid from the cookies with hands shakier than usual.  As we left Griff backed away, waving to the baby - "Bye, baby."  All I could picture was someone backing out of the tiger's cage "Nice kitty!"

Now, that was screaming bloody murder.

I Want You to Pull Out A Credit Card.....

.....and go to this website. Please throw a few bucks in the pot.

My niece Genevieve is participating in "The 2012 Relay For Life of Clark University" to benefit The American Cancer Society. It's tomorrow at 6pm out there in Wisstah.

This link takes you directly to her page.

Thanks.

Isn't she a good kid?

More Pudding Notes

I laugh every day in this house. I know it's hard to read, but this another of my father's notes and it says "This pudding is not for consumption" But my mother wasn't funny. Last night when I came home from P.F. Chang's and told her I had a few drinks she said "Well you won't lose any weight this week. You'll gain a pound."

And I did! She's so mean!

So It Might Be The Coconut Lemon Sours.....

...but I really want to punch Leon Panetta in the face.

U.S. troops posed with body parts of Afghan bombers.

After that, I'd like to take a swing at the assclown that released these pics. That soldier betrayed everyone he's ever served with. He lied about his motives. There was nothing honorable in this.

All this fuss over a suicide bomber. Boohoo! Someone took a pic of Achmed the Dead Terrorist.

Listen, if this guy wanted a nice burial, he should have stayed in his village on his prayer rug.

I Got Everything On the List!

Unfortunately, I made the list to go with my one priority errand - picking up my prescriptions.

I am really messing this up. I have already noted that I was behind schedule getting the "Grave's disease" medications.

It's a vicious cycle. I'm tired so I don't go get the meds. The lack of meds is making me tired.

So last night I went to bed at early, got up early and headed out.

Since I was headed downtown, I made a list.

CVS is between Downtown Crossing and NEMC. Check!

The pharmacy is in the Atrium, which is two buildings up from Dr. Miller in the South Building. I have some paperwork to drop off. Check!

There is a patient lounge for the oncology patients. The lounge has a computer & a printer and I have to print something. But the print4er is out of ink. What to do? Well there's a hotel across the street and I know where the business office is. Check!

The thing I needed to print was a Groupon for a haircut at Amaci. So off I go down Stuart St. Great haircut, nice stylist who had some experience with chemo hair. It is finally starting to straighten, but the ends are friend. Very happy Maggie leaves Amaci......check!

I head down Arlington toward the Public Garden. I get an ice cream from a truck on Boylston. I start thinking that I have just enough oomph to make it to Downtown Crossing to catch the 93 home.

And then I stop mid-lick.....I have no prescriptions.

Ok, well, we'll try tomorrow. We'll put it on the list.

Dear 98 Cents

Yesterday I published my thoughts on Hilary Rosen. I got two responses, three actually because my anonymous commenter had poor reading comprehension. The first was my friend Middleboro Jones & I published it. The second two were from the same hateful anonymous coward. He commented, couldn't comprehend the "comment moderation" response and typed out his hateful rant a second time.

I didn't publish either version. I don't mind disagreement. A quick search of the blog will find I have published opposing views. But only the reasonable ones. Not the hateful, nasty ones.

But I did leave a response -

"I thought long and hard about publishing your hateful comment. But that's the point of moderating comments and having your own blog - your hate has no place here.


For you to say that Ann Romney uses her MS as a "crutch" shows that you can't be reasoned with. Ann Romney didn't bring it up in this discussion, I did.

Frequent readers of this blog know that my sister was DX'd over 10 years ago. No amount of money makes up for her suffering. And I have cancer, not breast cancer, but cancer none-the-less. No amount of money could make up for what I have gone through.

You tried to drop a steaming pile here while you cruise the blogosphere with your baseless rage.
Thanks to comment moderation, you can't.

Go back to HuffPo and the other hateful Obama-bots."

My Two Cents on Hilary Rosen

So we've all heard by now that Hilary Rosen beclowned herself attacking Ann Romney.

Today on WTTK "Joe Ligotti Show" locals called in with their opinions.

One caller in particular was spewing such horrible envy. She went on and on, yelling over the host that Ann Romney had help. She had money to buy help. The caller stated she had ten children (which I didn't believe) and no one helped her.

What a stupid, stupid woman. Ann Romney has multiple sclerosis. If you have never been with an MS patient in the midst of an attack, you should STFU about Ann Romney. There's no help you can hire that can ease that pain.

Hilary Rosen should be ashamed.

Anyone who thinks they would trade places with Ann Romney because she is wealthy, should remember that life comes with breast cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.

As I am quick to say, if we all stood in a circle and threw our problems in the middle....we'd be quick to take our own back.

An Important Guest Post - "Respect For The Lost"

This is a guest post by Anastacia Visneski.

In March we lost 4 shipmates in the crash of CG6535. I wanted to wait a little while before posting this so to be sure it wasn’t anger and grief talking. Having given it some time, I think a discussion about social media when it comes to the loss of a shipmate needs to be had.

The day of the crash, a friend of mine expressed to me his anger over finding so many people posting on the Facebook page of one of the lost crew within only a few hours of the crash. I was- sadly- not terribly surprised that some people were posting that quickly.

Let me say it straight: Just because you, as a Coast Guard member, might have knowledge of who has died in a Coast Guard accident… posting on their Facebook page within a couple of hours of the crash that ‘you are going to miss them’ not only is a violation of policy, but makes you a bit of a jerk.

Coast Guard Public Affairs has a policy of holding names of members for 24 hours for next of kin (NOK) notification. Why? It is the time it takes to get the right people in place to tell the family members of the lost, to make sure they have the support they need from their Coast Guard family, to make sure those that need to know hear it from someone in person, someone in uniform, someone trained to break tragic news and provide support in the storm of grief that follows.

I am not going to say that grief and wanting to express your grief isn’t natural. I know that when the crash happened I was utterly desperate to find out who had been onboard. I did in fact find out before the NOK 24hr timeline and I was heartbroken. That being said, I did not go posting about it anywhere. As a matter of fact I waited until it had been released in the media and I had seen it in print on public sites before I said anything. Why? Not because of policy (though that played a part)… but out of respect.

So… to those of you posting on the Facebook pages of the missing members… who are you posting to? The deceased will not be reading that you are “going to miss” them (btw, the search was on and they were still only missing not declared deceased when many of these messages appeared). No, the people who are going to see your little heartfelt messages are the member’s girlfriend, or their cousin, their brother, heck possibly their Mom.

Is social media how you’d want to find out you lost someone you loved? That the one who holds your heart, that is your very joy, your everything… is dead? All because some person you don’t know wanted to be the first to post on their Facebook page? Is it a race to prove to everyone that you “knew first?” Can’t you wait and find a more respectful way of expressing your grief?

And now we have lost two more members in a shooting. I implore all of you to really think before you post. Are you violating policy… and more importantly are you breaking someone’s heart? If you really care about the lost crew member, if you really are their friend… it is your responsibility now as a member of the Coast Guard Family to look out for their loved ones. That is a far better way of showing them you care than posting on a website that their deceased loved ones will never be able to read.

Even When I Try.....

....I mess it up. I checked my calendar, I checked the bus schedule, I picked the bus before the one that got me there just in time. When I arrived in the Navy Yard I was sooooo pleased that I was there at ten past six for my six thirty event.

Unfortunately, it was a six pm lecture.

Last night was an installment in the USS Constitution Museum's War of 1812 series. For this lecture, Sidney Hart, Ph.D., Senior Historian at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery came up from Washington, DC. He presented an illustrated lecture about the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's upcoming bicentennial exhibition, 1812: A Nation Emerges, which will open on June 15, 2012 in Washington, DC.

It was very interessting and I might try to get down to DC to see the actual artwork.

Afterwards I said "Hi" to some people I knew as I made my way over to my friend Tom, from the Navy League. I was hoping he would be there because I had an 1812 calendar for him.

And Tom had something for me!

So How Are Those New Scripts Doing?

Oh, you mean my Propanolol & my Methimazole?

Well I wouldn't know.....I don't have them yet.

The endocrinologist prescribed them late Friday and I couldn't bring myself to go out and get them.

The pharmacy in NEMC is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

And today......surprise.....there was ANOTHER problem with the health insurance. Another miscommunication between Commonwealth Choice and Blue Cross. Commonwealth Choice is a clearinghouse to help people buy insurance at group rates. I knew early on in my illness that I wanted something top drawer because of my illness. So I opted out of my employer's policy and went through the Commonwealth. It's not subsidized because I made too much money. Of course now I qualify for everything, lol.

Every month it's something. Every month.

I'm exhausted.

And of course it was 5:01pm. blue Cross was there, but not the Commonwealth.

Found A New Blog.....

....that's right up my alley!

The Boston Bakery Babe.

Her motto is - "Savoring Boston, one cake, pie, and dainty at a time..."

I'm in! LOL!

I think my first trip will be to Crema Cafe. The cupcakes looked fabulous. Crema Cafe is just outside Harvard Square. I'll pick a nice sunny day and hopefully grab an outdoor table where Griff and I can have lunch.......and cupcakes....

No Ice Cream For Breakfast

I pulled myself together and decided today was going to be an adventure.

My father said once that he'd really like to try knishes. So late last night I looked up "knish" on Yelp. The top three were in Coolidge Corner close to each other. I took the Green Line out to Coolidge Corner and my first choice, Michael's wasn't even a block away from the "T" stop.

They had four different types, potato, spinach, roast beef & pastrami. I got two of each.

I wanted to get some chocolates for my mother so I also picked a chocolatier from Yelp. The most interesting choice was Blue Tierra in South Boston. So there I went....into enemy territory. A Townie on the #9 bus riding down West Broadway.

Again, I was lucky and the bus stopped exactly across the street from the shop. The first thing I noticed was gold foil wrapped coins. I had to get that right away for my cousin Griffin. We watch"Jake and the Never Land Pirates". Jake and the gang collect "Gold Doubloons". So we have to have them! Then I say a chocolate Easter bunny pop. The solid milk chocolate bunnies were gone. Then I saw a bag of milk chocolate nonpareils. I picked those up for my mother. I saw a bag of beautifully colored malted milk balls. And finally I picked a few individual chocolates. One was shaped like a shamrock and had Guinness in it. Guess who that was for?

Then it was back on the bus to the Red Line to South Station. I was soooooo in the mood for a fruit smoothie and I like the place in South Station.

My final thing on the list was Easter cards. So I walked up Summer to CVS. I have their frequent customer card and my transaction spit out four coupons. One was for hair color. I walked up that aisle and picked my brand which was on sale. Then one coupon took $2 more off that and the $4 in "ExtraBucks" made it......FREE! Sure it's blurry, but you can see the total is $o.oo!

I walked up to the bus stop & didn't the 93 roll right up! It was perfect. I told the driver his timing was impeccable, I was tired & I only had a $1 left. He laughed and said "Thank you."

So everything is perfect, right? Not exactly. I signed my card for my parents and put it on the buffet with my Dad's bunny pop and my Mum's bag of nonpareils. My father walks out and asks who the non-pareils are for. When I tell him, he says "Mummy (this always cracks my up, we never called her Mummy, only he does when he talks to us) doesn't like them."

What?

I go in the living room and ask her. She shakes her head and says no. "But I get them for you a lot." I say. She replies "I know."

I Know I've Told You This Before....

......but eight and a half years after I stayed at the Taj Palace in Dubai, they are still sending me emails. I love them. It was the best vacation ever. And I need a boost, lol. Just got the official word on the results of today's visit with the endocrinologist and the blood work.

I have Grave's disease. Pissah.

Preliminary studies show a slightly higher incidence of Grave's disease in Multiple Myeloma patients. They are both auto-immune disorders.

I want ice cream but it's Good Friday. My mother pointed out that I am exempt if I want to be with all my disorders and diseases. But I declined. The point of the exemption is to make sure sick or weak people don't become more weak. Not so I can have ice cream.

Ok, The #Occupy People Got Me

They finally found an issue that I care about. They are focused on it and I hope they are successful.

And I will lend support.

Today the Herald reported on the "Occupy T Sit-in". Recently there has been a lot of attention on the "T" because they are running a deficit. The T Board has decided that their best options are to decrease service and raise fares.

Now this is not a problem for me. I live very close to downtown Boston on a popular route. And the fare is not a problem.

But the complete lack of foresight on this matter is stunning.

One of the most basic things that a person needs to survive is transportation. You need to get to your job, your home, your school.

People in this state are always wailing about helping the poor. They want them to have EBT cards and housing subsidies and all kinds of other entitlements.

Did you never hear that fish/teach him to fish story???????

Instead of giving people entitlements, why not give them a way earn their own food, house, degree, etc.?

Someone, the Governor or someone else needs to step in and make up that deficit. The "T" helps everyone. The "T" creates a level playing field.

Want to lower traffic? Support the "T".

Want less pollution? Support the "T".

Want an easy way to help people advance and get themselves out of poverty? Support the "T".

It's so glaringly obvious I want to shake them!

So for once #Occupy, good on you! You have an issue that's relevant. You've got a focus. You really are helping those less fortunate.

I Always Think....

that if I can just explain what I am thinking, the other person will "get it".

I tried this with my children. I resolved that I wouldn't punish, I'd explain. Then they would say "Yeah, I get it, I'll never.......(fill in the blank)....... again".

What I ended up with was two world class debaters. I'm not kidding, Tommy won awards in high school.

It hardly ever works and yet I can't give up on it.

Yesterday I was angry and posted something petty and small. Two people questioned it and I was ashamed and deleted it.

The first person made a joke. He understands we all make mistakes. I'm sure he hopes, as I do, that I try to do better in the future.