I must be losing my mind. This is suppose to be the age of intelligence. The great computer age is here and all out worries have disappeared. Machine was suppose to do all the work, and man sits back and enjoys life. We are the the baby boomers. We changed everything with peace love and harmony. I should be sitting back, drinking a twenty-five cent coke and singing " I'd like to teach the world to sing". We solved the oil pollution with the Exxon Valdez spill. Never again would that happen. Our parents learned their lessons in the depression and never again would that happen. Corrupt politicians were thrown out of office(Nixon), and never again would that happen. The carpetbaggers were outlawed and never again would people be conned out of their money. We learned our lesson in Vietnam and would never let that happen again. We learned not to trust in gasoline availability during the the Carter administration. We tore down the Berlin wall during the Reagan administration bringing about world peace. We learned that when a person goes bankrupt in everything he does, you don't elect him President because his dad use to be president. Just because we heard it on the radio or TV doesn't mean it is true. I guess that computers got smarter and people got dummer.

I just realized that it was fifty years ago that I had my first piano recital. Since then I have played in all states east of the Mississippi except 2, and a few states west of the Mississippi. I have played in more denomination than I can count, and a few more bars on the weekend. I have played for Weddings and funerals, baptism, confirmations, and last requests for dying people. I have played organs, all kind of pianos, mogue synthesizer and many electric keyboards. The only organ I haven't played is a Wurlitzer. This is the one with all the drums etc...
I'm writing about this for a good reason. My grandfather, whom I got the music gene from, never told me anything about the piano. He never taught me to play, never told stories of his playing history, nothing at all. I have heard second hand stories, but that was it. He died when I was very young. My father and mother did not have musical ability. My mother felt that if I were young enough to go to school, I could start learning to play the piano. My oldest sisters, and older brother were also taking lesson at this time. My oldest sister and I would would continue with lessons. Every morning,starting at 6am, you could hear my sister and I practicing the piano. I still have my first piano, waiting in the garage to be refinished. For the next 10 years I would take lesson, and once a year participate in a piano recital. The early years were mainly a lot of practice and occasional performance. With all that practice you would think I would have been better. Piano was the starting point for instrumental and vocal training and performing.

I'd like to bash on our medical system once again. For those who work in our medical system this is not aimed at you. The doctors, nurses,aids, and those who work hard in our system are in most cases under appreciated and under paid. These professionals should be paid for what they do, and paid well. It's the system that is broke, not the people. Most hospitals have systems in place to help those who are poor and can't afford medical care. Many doctors contribute to organizations that will help people out. These people are not the problem. There are even some doctor who work their practice like a production line, and as long as they do their job well, they can get a rich as they want. When that doctors level of care diminishes because he is too busy for his patients, then I have a problem. Insurance companies are not the major problem, but do contribute in a major way. I do not bash on them for wanting to make money and a profit for their shareholders. In most cases they are following the law and guidelines set for them. There are those who abuse the system, and they should be held responsible. Then there is our political system where most of our problems are. Our congressman and senators were originally part time, true public servants. Now they are full time, and receiving money from so many resources that money, not intellect runs government. Bridges to nowhere, million dollar toilet seats, and government backed studies in to watching mold grow are the problems. Doctor afraid of being sued for "whatever", when a medical board could determine if there is a problem. Doctors then run tests to make sure they are not going to get sued. Insurance companies paying more in doctor and legal expenses, and on and on...........
In our case, we have had major medical problems and now have insurance, but what insurance doesn't cover is astronomical. It will take a long time to catch up since due to these medical problems my wife and I cannot work. When I look at the bill from her last surgery, the waste is unbelievable. Maybe it is not waste, but I see doctor billing multiple times, and some doctors I don't remember even seeing. If I were to pay cash instead of insurance, my cost would be 50% lower, and discounts to insurance providers make those who have no insurance cost much higher. It's called, "The system", and the system is broke. We need to keep it simple. The procedure done in Maine should be the same price as that procedure done in Michigan. The Cost of tongue depressors are the same, etc....... Companies have the right to make a profit, not to gouge or cheat.

I fixed the lawnmower. To some that might not be a big deal, but to me it is in the miracle department. I was able to get the grass cut before the rain.
One of our local police departments are being investigated by the State Police for a poorly managed evidence room. There is supposedly missing money, drugs etc.... Police being investigated by Police sounds troubling to me. That is like big business writing it's own rules.
Scientist for BP gas are saying that only 3% of the worlds oil pollution is from disasters like those in the Gulf. What they don't say is that 100% of the area is polluted and that is what the locals are concerned about. No matter how much you fine the oil companies, they will just recoup with higher prices to the people they damage. Since there is a cap on how much the companies can be fined, our government will be picking up the tab, as well as lost businesses, lost because of this spill.Once again big business will win and the people will lose.

Monday morning and the lawn mower breaks. Ahhhhhhhh Mondays............What next?

Liz is home. She had her spinal fusion surgery on Monday, and came home yesterday. For the next 6 weeks she won't be able to do much but take short walks, rest, and walk again. I will be her gofer and nurse as well as chief brush and bottle washer. Day 2 and all is well.

What a year so far. On Monday, Liz goes in for spinal surgery. Her spinal cord is being pinched by the disc, moved in 4 different locations. Her walking is very painful and getting worse. There are times when her legs will just give out, or she will be in such pain that even small walking is tough. Sunday, following the worship service, we will have a prayer circle for Liz at Westwood Reformed Church. This will be at approx. 11:30 am. I am requesting prayers for her at that time, even if you can't be there. We are praying for her physically and mentally and that God will guide the surgeons hand, and comfort Liz's mind. The surgery will be Monday morning @ 7:30 am and should be between 2 1/2 and 3 hours long. I am praying 24/7 as God and I walk thru life together.
These last couple of years have been very tough for us, but God never gives us more then we can handle. Liz and I have been unable to work due to my heart disease and lizs many medical and other problems. Many people have said that we are living off the government with disability insurance and are a drain on the economy. My prayer is that God will never put you in this situation, but may open your eyes to the problems that many have to deal with. I am thankful we have SSI as without it, I would most likely not be here. I have been paying into SSI since I was 13, and did not believe I would ever need it. Now I am thankful it is there as it enables us to get by with what we need and not what we want. We have tried to open our house to troubled teens and has been blessed with seeing other life stories that make ours so small. Our Children are on there own and we are very proud of them. Liz and I became grandparents for the first time and we thank God for Vincente. God has truly blessed us as our path has been different but has been in his hands all the way. We are not worthy of Gods love, but he gives it. The gifts that God has given us far out number the problems, and the problems just give us more time in prayer with God.
Prayer is so important and so needed. God is great.

Just when you think you have heard it all, more crap appears. The far right wants less government interference and that I can understand. It seems like today you need a form 20sht to use the bathroom. The president has now suggested privatizing the space program, in other words getting the government out of the commercial space business. The right wing and big business is apposed to this claiming that they need the government to put their satellites into orbit. I'm so confused.

Change, you gotta love it. First people want it, then they realize that things won't be the same, and then they fear it, then they fight against it. Our need for health care is a big change. Many people fear it for the sake of wanting something to be afraid of. You would think that we were giving every person a brand new house and car for free and saying that this mystical beast that we call "government" will pay for it. Lets get some facts down before this becomes a sci-fi movie of the week.
1- We need a better healthcare system then we have now. The one we have now is broken. We can replace it or fix it. Neither side of the asle want to work togather and want to blame each other.
2- We don't have the money to pay for it. The Republicans left us with a huge deficit and that you can't deny. Maybe we should wait until there is no deficit before spending another dime. Maybe a few more non tax paying people will die off while we wait.
3- Let let the current system run it's course. Prescription, insurance and other medical related companys can write their own rules, make as much profit as they like, and then when they have reach the top of the mountain they can withdraw their money, put millions out of work, and leave people dying without healthcare because they lost heir jobs. Wait, didn't this just happen?
4- Let's throw the baby out with the bath water. Let's change everything.
Our system is not set up to handle something like this. Basic changes need to happen first. Get rid of the income tax and replace it with a stright tax on everything. The more you spend, the more you are taxed. No tax exemptions for anyone. Then offer affordable health care to everyone. It's so easy, even a caveman can do it. More to come.

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/muskegon/index.ssf/2010/03/the_partys_at_alley_door_for_p.html



Check it out, it's my nephew.

What a beautiful Monday Morning. The sun is shinning, The Spartans won (basketball) and health reformed finally passed. Now that the debate is over and the president will sign it, we can now get to the truths of this package. Many have said that they don't want the government running health care. First of all, we are the government. Remember that line"we the people". Instead of corporate greed running the system, the people who We elect will oversee the system. If we lived in China, then I would worry about a government run health care system. Folk, we are number 19 in the world in health Care for our people. 19th doesn't even get you on the medal stand in the Olympics. When you are at work, and your work was rated 19th, you would be looking for a new job. Seniority does not protect a person who is 19th at their job. We now have a president who will stand and take the chance to improve something that is so broken. Special interest can move on to something else, but the job of life and health is now in the peoples hands. This may not be the perfect fix, and yes, I don't believe it is, but we are now moving in the right direction. The democratic process is working. More to come.

Check out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U4Ha9HQvMo&feature=topvideos



I don't need to add anything to this.

What is customer service
1- An automated computer system that works you around in circles. For this press 1, for that press 2
2- A computer system that tries to understand the english language. "I'm sorry,I did not understand the last word you said, please press 5 and try again".
3- A live person, that happens to be in India. The person learned the english language last week and is trying it out on you.
4- An answering system that tells you that due to a large volume of calls, they cannot answer your call, and then hangs up.
5- An email system that give automated responces like a copy of the web page that you just read.
6- At last, a human being that speaks clear english language. Unfortunantely it is their first day, and they have to transfer you to one of the above choices. Before they pass you on they exclaim, have a nice day. As you are swearing at the person not to transfer you, you hear the sound of a dial tone.

In the Muskegon Chronicle there was a letter to the editor from a person who was complaining that an organist was playing too loud. Days later another person responded by saying that this was not the venue for objecting to this. Church organist/pianist are a dying breed. Many churches have gone to electronic music, or just guitars. People don't realize that given time, you may not hear that organ at all. Some day when the power goes out, someone will look at that keyboard and ask,"Does anyone know how to play this thing?" To that organist, "play louder, they still can't hear you."

Why do church people like to fight. Is it the thought that"I'm right and you are wrong"? Through out history, churches have fought with others and themselves. You would think that history has shown that there are no winners, only losers.
Remember the song,"my dogs better then your dog"? Some have rewritten it to say, "My God's better then your God".

Monday morning starting over. Liz and I just got back from our 30 min walk. We were going to go to the Y, but then realized it was MLK Jr. birthday, and all the kids are out of school. That means that the Y would be real busy.
I didn't go to church yesterday. I still have mixed emotions about where to go and why I am going. Socially it is nice to see people, but then does that make it a social club?
My hand look terrible. I went into the ER on Saturday, and they said I have a ganglion cyst. It look and sounds alot worse then it is.
I just can't believe the Haite situation. I heard that The Rev. Pat Robertson said the reason the quake struck there was because they had sinned and God let the devil do his stuff. Pat need a reality check and his medications increased.

I know that I haven't blog lately. Alot has been going on.
I am now completely retired. I quit the part time janitorial job. When you work for the church you are attending it is very hard. The job had fit my condition very well, but along came someone else who wanted the job, and the demands on me were tripled, so much to the point it was effecting my heart and my soul. Obviously this takes a chunk out of our income, so we had to make cutbacks.
Liz and I are starting the YMCA to try to get in better shape. With both of us with health limitations, I think we will start up slowly.
We visited Unity church last week, as we explore the possibility and changing churches. We were warmly greeted, but their piano player is very different. I will try to stay updated to all those thousands of people that read this blog.

wow, I'm enjoying a moment of quiet and solitude. Ok, thats enough, got a lot of things to do. Have to finish up the laundryroom with Cat. She has worked her butt off on the laundryroom and bath. I hope to have it done before Christmas, but stuff keeps popping up. This week two dear friends our ours passed away, one here in Muskegon, and one in Florida. They were both in their 80"s a God had blessed them with a wonderful and spirit filled life. With a funeral on Tuesday and Christmas Eve service, as janitors, we will have a full week on setups, cleanings, and teardowns. (Don & Liz)

Four weddings in 2 years. How should I feel. Happy, sad, wait ...I know...poor. I now have the females in the family married off. Girls are the most expensive. We had 40 rsvp's returned and 175 people showed up. Fortunately I decided to plan for 150 as this was my best guess. We still fed everyone and had no leftovers to try to get rid of. We finished cleaning up the church around midnight after starting the day at 7am. That was a long day. Louie used his truck as a lemo for the bride a groom. They thought it was BA. Monday we took Don Jr. back to Ohare for his plane ride back to Japan. He had come up to surprise his little sister, and that he did. She was so surprised that I was glad she didn't miscarry. Now everything is getting back to it's chaotic state, never back to normal, and we can know prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thank God for Prozac.

Here we go again. Today, my youngest daughter is getting married. This will be the fourth wedding in two years. Donald came home from Japan and surprised his little sister last night. Before the wedding , we still have to finish setting up the reception, putting together food, setting tables, and all the other stuff that goes with a wedding. This promises to be a busy weekend as we will end the weekend by driving Donald back to Chicago for his flight back to Japan on Monday.