Posts
Was pleased to read an article in The Chicago Tribune - Q Section 13, on 10-21-2007, regards autism. Julie Deardorff, the reporter, wrote a touching story, about Jenny McCarthy, and her four year old child. The most telling words in the article are " Autism is treatable". Get online to the Trib, and read the whole article. The next telling part, is one paragraph " Not everyone agrees, which is part of what makes McCarthy's current media blitz so controversial. But Evan, who was diagnosed with autism after a series of seizures at age 3, something McCarthy believes was triggered by vaccines - is now a typical and communicative 5 year old, who makes eye contact and no longer flaps his arms." Further stated was that," though he's not completely cured", she credits much of his turnaround to "biomedical" interventions, that included, nutritional changes, detoxification therapies, gastrointestinal treatments and dietary supplements, on top of intense behavioral and speech therapy.Removing wheat gluten and casein (dairy) from Evan's diet, doubled his language and regained eye contact, within two weeks.
See also:
DAN! ( autism.com )
My blog, Razors Edge, posts # 12 and # 100
Hope this helps some, in coping with the autism situation.
About Me
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
# 10 Medical Paperwork & You
Had to chuckle, when I read this article. Many people that sign papers, of contractual nature, read a line or two , and then sign. They gotcha now. Well, I drive the people, asking me to " sign here ", nuts. I actually read the stupid fine print. I have actually " crossed out and initialed ", that which I had crossed out, from a given legal type document. Of course I receive the " Oh, you can't do that ", reply, "that is our standard form ". My reply, mostly has been " Yes, so what! " " Well you are not allowed to change the form ", they reply. So the verbal battle continues. Have gone through group heads, supervisors, managers, lawyers, and administrators. Did I win all my battles, no, not always to my full satisfaction, but mostly, I get what I want, and is what I can " honor ".
Everything is negotiable. Why sign that, which you cannot honor? One interesting episode went like this:
" We can't release her until the bill is paid in full".
" Bye ".
" Where are you going ".
" You said you can't release her until the bill is paid in full, I'm unable to pay the full bill".
" What about her! "
" Keep her until the bill is fully paid, bye ".
" Wait, lets talk this over ".
So read this article and you will see some of the things, I've done and battled over.
...........................................................................
Making Medical Paperwork Easier
Medical bills are incredibly complicated and expensive, even for those with health insurance. But here's what you may not know: Hospital bills aren't "unavoidable" in the same way as, say, taxes and death. The number at the bottom of the bill may not be the amount you have to pay at all. In fact, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from unfair medical charges, including working with a professional "medical billing advocate."
For information on this I called Nora Johnson, CCP (Certified Compliance Professional), a medical advocate with her own company, Med-X (Medical Expense Review & Recovery), and director of education and compliance for Medical Billing Advocates of America. Though most of these strategies relate to those with health insurance, which fortunately is still most of us, Johnson assured me that she has plenty of advice for both groups -- insured and uninsured.
BE SURE YOU GET WHAT YOU'RE INSURED FOR
Here's Johnson's first rule for those with health insurance: Know thy policy. It's boring as anything, she acknowledged, "so most people never bother to find out what their policy covers and -- often even more important -- what it doesn't." If you know in advance that a treatment or procedure you need is not covered, you can negotiate the price with the physician or facility beforehand, while you still have some room to do so. Most health care policies exempt emergency room doctors and procedures from needing to be "in network." But emergency coverage is policy-specific.
Another common trap for the insured is inadvertently going "out of network," she says. Say you are having gallbladder removal, which is typically an elective surgical procedure. You've chosen a surgeon covered by your plan and he's chosen a team, including the anesthesiologist and pathologist, all of whom you assume are on the plan as well. However, that's not necessarily true, says Johnson. Often radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists are out of network or even do not participate with any insurance companies. Always confirm by calling your insurance company (the published list of participating providers may not be up to date) before a procedure and confirm with the physician. If a provider is not covered, you have the right to one who is. Ask for the names of participating providers in your area and request in writing that the hospital use one of them. If the hospital refuses, tell them you will sign an agreement for the provider(s) they want to use on condition those providers will accept the out-of-network fee from your insurance company as payment in full. As further protection, Johnson suggests noting on the back of the hospital admissions form that you are responsible only for participating providers' billing. On the same form there will be an item that says you will pay all "usual and customary charges." Cross that out, she says, inserting the words that you are responsible only for "fair and reasonable" charges for anything your insurance does not cover.
WHAT'S "FAIR AND REASONABLE": DECIPHERING THE CHARGES
This brings us to a brief discussion of what hospitals charge. They say they charge all patients the same rates, says Johnson, which is basically true -- but what's also true is that not everyone has to pay the same fees. When negotiating for clients, she bases what they should pay on that same phrase mentioned above, "fair and reasonable," which is the reimbursement most commonly accepted by that hospital, usually from Medicare. Rule of thumb: The hospital's billed charge is the gross charge and it is more than the hospital accepts from most other payers for the same service, she says.
Further confusing matters, all medical billing is based on three coding systems -- ICD-9-CM, CPT and HCPCS -- used for reimbursement, and she estimates that about one-third of all billing errors result from incorrect coding, such as entering a code for a procedure you never had. While these codes aren't available to the public, you can and should request an itemized bill from your hospital, which includes explanations. Review it carefully, and if you're confused or see an error, ask for clarification from the hospital's billing office. Pay close attention to seemingly minor billing incidentals such as IV start kits (quoted cost, $57... real cost, 61 cents). Medicare does not allow independent charges for such incidentals, so it stands to reason that you should not have to pay them either. Reason: Supplies are calculated into the room/unit/procedure charge. Therefore they are duplicates when billed again for a separate dollar amount.
If there are mistakes in your bill, Johnson says you should address them immediately. If your insurance company refuses payment for something, figure out where it went wrong -- perhaps the statement was miscoded or the doctor's office filed incorrect information. Talk to both the insurance company and the doctor's office to learn if there is an error, and then correct it. Medical Billing Advocates of America say 90% of medical bills contain errors.
People with high deductible policies have one more consideration -- the hospital may charge its full (and inflated) fee up to that amount. Don't let them get away with that. Insist instead that fees against your deductible are the discounted rate (at least 35%) -- not the full -- charges.
EMERGENCY ROOMS CAN'T REQUIRE PAYMENT IN ADVANCE
Nearly all emergency rooms cannot, by law, withhold emergency medical treatment based on payment issues. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act requires all hospitals accepting Medicare to not withhold screening, stabilizing treatment or appropriate transfer of patients, regardless if patients are on Medicare or have no insurance or ability to pay. Some hospitals will attempt to get a credit card number up front in order to ensure payment. If this happens, warns Johnson, ask that they put the demand for payment prior to rendering treatment in writing, specifying whatever the amount or percentage they are requesting. Simply say "I won't pay unless you put it in writing." By asking for them to request payment in writing, you will find they quit bothering you for payment before service, since Federal law mandates that hospitals render emergency treatment that is medically necessary to save lives regardless of inability to pay. After that, if you feel you are being overcharged, you can get the official hospital policy about payment requirements in writing, which you can then take to an advocate for help in negotiating. Patients can also inquire about "charity care," says Johnson. All hospitals that participate with Medicare have to provide a certain amount of charity care to patients who qualify. Get the charity care forms from the hospital, fill them out, make copies and return them to the hospital.
WHEN TO CALL IN BACK-UP ASSISTANCE
If you have been unsuccessful at resolving your billing problems or feel that the fees charged are truly unreasonable, it may be time to call in a professional advocate to help. These professionally certified and trained specialists will advocate on behalf of individuals to combat unreasonable and/or outrageous medical fees. Although hiring an advocate to fight your battle might at first seem as though you are just adding another cost to already high expenses, in reality their training and negotiating savvy can actually reduce costs. The depth of their knowledge and experience working with complex medical billing enables advocates to negotiate fair fees for virtually everything including CAT scans and other imaging procedures, as well as hospital and doctor bills and fees. Johnson advises calling a medical billing advocate after you have reviewed an itemized bill yourself if you think it is not fair -- say, $6,000 for two stitches in the emergency room.
Advocate fees vary. Johnson says they charge by the hour or a percentage of the money saved. They aim to be "reasonable" and always negotiate up front to spare you yet more stomach-turning surprises. To find an advocate, you can go to the Medical Billing Advocates of America Web site http://link.dhn.bottomlinesecrets.com/h/D9G9/44FT/UP/LYS48, or call 540-387-5870.
Source(s): Nora Johnson, CCP (Certified Compliance Professional), medical advocate with her own company, Med-X, (Medical Expense Review & Recovery), in Caldwell, West Virginia, and director of education and compliance for Medical Billing Advocates of America, Salem, Virginia.
.....................................................
Need to contact us? http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/cust_service/contact.html
Everything is negotiable. Why sign that, which you cannot honor? One interesting episode went like this:
" We can't release her until the bill is paid in full".
" Bye ".
" Where are you going ".
" You said you can't release her until the bill is paid in full, I'm unable to pay the full bill".
" What about her! "
" Keep her until the bill is fully paid, bye ".
" Wait, lets talk this over ".
So read this article and you will see some of the things, I've done and battled over.
...........................................................................
Making Medical Paperwork Easier
Medical bills are incredibly complicated and expensive, even for those with health insurance. But here's what you may not know: Hospital bills aren't "unavoidable" in the same way as, say, taxes and death. The number at the bottom of the bill may not be the amount you have to pay at all. In fact, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from unfair medical charges, including working with a professional "medical billing advocate."
For information on this I called Nora Johnson, CCP (Certified Compliance Professional), a medical advocate with her own company, Med-X (Medical Expense Review & Recovery), and director of education and compliance for Medical Billing Advocates of America. Though most of these strategies relate to those with health insurance, which fortunately is still most of us, Johnson assured me that she has plenty of advice for both groups -- insured and uninsured.
BE SURE YOU GET WHAT YOU'RE INSURED FOR
Here's Johnson's first rule for those with health insurance: Know thy policy. It's boring as anything, she acknowledged, "so most people never bother to find out what their policy covers and -- often even more important -- what it doesn't." If you know in advance that a treatment or procedure you need is not covered, you can negotiate the price with the physician or facility beforehand, while you still have some room to do so. Most health care policies exempt emergency room doctors and procedures from needing to be "in network." But emergency coverage is policy-specific.
Another common trap for the insured is inadvertently going "out of network," she says. Say you are having gallbladder removal, which is typically an elective surgical procedure. You've chosen a surgeon covered by your plan and he's chosen a team, including the anesthesiologist and pathologist, all of whom you assume are on the plan as well. However, that's not necessarily true, says Johnson. Often radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists are out of network or even do not participate with any insurance companies. Always confirm by calling your insurance company (the published list of participating providers may not be up to date) before a procedure and confirm with the physician. If a provider is not covered, you have the right to one who is. Ask for the names of participating providers in your area and request in writing that the hospital use one of them. If the hospital refuses, tell them you will sign an agreement for the provider(s) they want to use on condition those providers will accept the out-of-network fee from your insurance company as payment in full. As further protection, Johnson suggests noting on the back of the hospital admissions form that you are responsible only for participating providers' billing. On the same form there will be an item that says you will pay all "usual and customary charges." Cross that out, she says, inserting the words that you are responsible only for "fair and reasonable" charges for anything your insurance does not cover.
WHAT'S "FAIR AND REASONABLE": DECIPHERING THE CHARGES
This brings us to a brief discussion of what hospitals charge. They say they charge all patients the same rates, says Johnson, which is basically true -- but what's also true is that not everyone has to pay the same fees. When negotiating for clients, she bases what they should pay on that same phrase mentioned above, "fair and reasonable," which is the reimbursement most commonly accepted by that hospital, usually from Medicare. Rule of thumb: The hospital's billed charge is the gross charge and it is more than the hospital accepts from most other payers for the same service, she says.
Further confusing matters, all medical billing is based on three coding systems -- ICD-9-CM, CPT and HCPCS -- used for reimbursement, and she estimates that about one-third of all billing errors result from incorrect coding, such as entering a code for a procedure you never had. While these codes aren't available to the public, you can and should request an itemized bill from your hospital, which includes explanations. Review it carefully, and if you're confused or see an error, ask for clarification from the hospital's billing office. Pay close attention to seemingly minor billing incidentals such as IV start kits (quoted cost, $57... real cost, 61 cents). Medicare does not allow independent charges for such incidentals, so it stands to reason that you should not have to pay them either. Reason: Supplies are calculated into the room/unit/procedure charge. Therefore they are duplicates when billed again for a separate dollar amount.
If there are mistakes in your bill, Johnson says you should address them immediately. If your insurance company refuses payment for something, figure out where it went wrong -- perhaps the statement was miscoded or the doctor's office filed incorrect information. Talk to both the insurance company and the doctor's office to learn if there is an error, and then correct it. Medical Billing Advocates of America say 90% of medical bills contain errors.
People with high deductible policies have one more consideration -- the hospital may charge its full (and inflated) fee up to that amount. Don't let them get away with that. Insist instead that fees against your deductible are the discounted rate (at least 35%) -- not the full -- charges.
EMERGENCY ROOMS CAN'T REQUIRE PAYMENT IN ADVANCE
Nearly all emergency rooms cannot, by law, withhold emergency medical treatment based on payment issues. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act requires all hospitals accepting Medicare to not withhold screening, stabilizing treatment or appropriate transfer of patients, regardless if patients are on Medicare or have no insurance or ability to pay. Some hospitals will attempt to get a credit card number up front in order to ensure payment. If this happens, warns Johnson, ask that they put the demand for payment prior to rendering treatment in writing, specifying whatever the amount or percentage they are requesting. Simply say "I won't pay unless you put it in writing." By asking for them to request payment in writing, you will find they quit bothering you for payment before service, since Federal law mandates that hospitals render emergency treatment that is medically necessary to save lives regardless of inability to pay. After that, if you feel you are being overcharged, you can get the official hospital policy about payment requirements in writing, which you can then take to an advocate for help in negotiating. Patients can also inquire about "charity care," says Johnson. All hospitals that participate with Medicare have to provide a certain amount of charity care to patients who qualify. Get the charity care forms from the hospital, fill them out, make copies and return them to the hospital.
WHEN TO CALL IN BACK-UP ASSISTANCE
If you have been unsuccessful at resolving your billing problems or feel that the fees charged are truly unreasonable, it may be time to call in a professional advocate to help. These professionally certified and trained specialists will advocate on behalf of individuals to combat unreasonable and/or outrageous medical fees. Although hiring an advocate to fight your battle might at first seem as though you are just adding another cost to already high expenses, in reality their training and negotiating savvy can actually reduce costs. The depth of their knowledge and experience working with complex medical billing enables advocates to negotiate fair fees for virtually everything including CAT scans and other imaging procedures, as well as hospital and doctor bills and fees. Johnson advises calling a medical billing advocate after you have reviewed an itemized bill yourself if you think it is not fair -- say, $6,000 for two stitches in the emergency room.
Advocate fees vary. Johnson says they charge by the hour or a percentage of the money saved. They aim to be "reasonable" and always negotiate up front to spare you yet more stomach-turning surprises. To find an advocate, you can go to the Medical Billing Advocates of America Web site http://link.dhn.bottomlinesecrets.com/h/D9G9/44FT/UP/LYS48, or call 540-387-5870.
Source(s): Nora Johnson, CCP (Certified Compliance Professional), medical advocate with her own company, Med-X, (Medical Expense Review & Recovery), in Caldwell, West Virginia, and director of education and compliance for Medical Billing Advocates of America, Salem, Virginia.
.....................................................
Need to contact us? http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/cust_service/contact.html
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
# 9 Quality Service ! Sez Who ?
Well now, here is the situation. Have been through three computers, in recent years. So every new unit has a copy on of MS windows running. now go through all the hassle of updating the brand new unit ,with all the patches and SP1, SP2, etc, to update what is supposed to be a brand spanking new computer, running XP Home,So, I have in essence purchased another licensed copy of XP Home for each new computer, when I already had one. Am not aware if one can even buy a name brand computer new, but without an operating system. Used to be all units came with program disks and printed manuals. No more though. If and when a problem shows up, on a unit, whats the first thing you are told? Insert the program operating disks. Ha, can't be done. Why? There are no disks available. Well just use restore or copy the old drive to the new drive. Can't be done. Why? The original / old drive went kaput. Oh, then just use the install disks. What ! Are you even listening to me ? There are no available disks to use. Well then, send the unit in with the install disks. Do you have a problem listening to a conversation ? No, why? I just told you there are no disks, and none came with the unit. OK, just contact ( in this case ) Microsoft for another copy, we can't do anything for you. Microsoft ( in this case ) says each manufacturer, customizes the operating system for use on their computers, and we can't help you. Contact the computer manufacturer. Round and round we go. Call the store where you purchased the unit. They say "can't help you unless you have the install disks". Yes, but you sold me the unit five weeks ago. You can send the hard drive to a drive recovery company. How much does that cost? Anywhere between $ 100.00 to $ 200.00. You're kidding aren't you. Anyway, won't bore you with the " how and what ", of what then took place. Then there is the rebate ploy. Jump through all kinds of cut out that original, copy that number, copy this other number, send the original to each address. Huh! Come again. How can I send an original to three place , when there is only one original ! Well, just copy the original. But that's not an original then ! Well just try it. So in they go. Six to ten weeks later, comes the letter, rejected, due to no original documentation. On and on. Many discussions, if one can call it that. Then a few more weeks, give another call. There is no record of any transactions being processed. When did you , on and on. Ask for a supervisor, reexplain, suddenly there is a Oh here it is. So anyway the outcome here was worth about $ 300.00. So the added aggravation and persistence was worth it. While I'm in the compliant mode, another gripe is that as name brands that had high quality once, start becoming very poor quality, as companies are bought out. Now, as I understand it, groups will buy the once good brands copyrighted name only, and immediately drop the once famous quality of the item.In all fairness, I did on some dealings find some excellent customer service departments. Overall though, they are poorly managed. By the way, have you needed to contact a health insurance provider lately,about screwed up billing? Account number, name, address, city, state, last four digits of your social, date of birth, telephone number, and than how can I help you. Explain. Oh we don't handle that here, I'll transfer you to..... Than if your lucky, a voice asking again, yup you got it, Account number, name, address, city, state, last four digits of your social, date of birth, telephone number, and than how can I help you. This will happen every time you are transferred to another dept. Needless to say, and not mentioned, is the in between transfers, with the voice recordings, this call may be monitored for quality service, and your call is important to us, please stay on the line for the next available agent. Now comes the repeated, All agents are currently assisting other customers, please stay on the line. Over and over. Ah, a voice comes on, may I please have your .....................
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
# 8 To Manufacturers In China: Quality!
To My friends In China,
Peace, health and prosperity to all.
Manufacturers in China, need to take notice, that many products I have purchased, that show , " Made in China " are no longer on my buy list. While it is not my nature to be a complainer, my recent purchases of such products, have all been disgusting. Simple things , granted, but beyond saving grace. an emergency radio, gave a broken wind handle, on the second wind. Inspection showed a poor grade of plastic was used in a stress point, on the gears and handle, used to wind up the power generator.
A potato peeler that looked like the famous Ecko peeler, had sharp burrs, and a poor method to hold the cutting assembly in place. It lasted for one potato peel, before it fell apart. Of course it went into the scrap metal bin.
A can opener, that would not even cling to the can for the cans top to be removed.
Then there are the Ginsu type knife set, that looks and feels shabby, with a poorly made holding block, making it awkward to put the knife back in place. Wont go on with the listing, though there were other products that were also disposed of. Its not necessarily the assembly line people at fault, its also the design and quality of material used. Do recall that decades past Japan also went through the shabby product situation, reputation wise. So can only offer that the thinking process needs to focus heavily on design and quality. Meanwhile I will focus more on where my future purchases were produced.
Peace, health and prosperity to all.
Manufacturers in China, need to take notice, that many products I have purchased, that show , " Made in China " are no longer on my buy list. While it is not my nature to be a complainer, my recent purchases of such products, have all been disgusting. Simple things , granted, but beyond saving grace. an emergency radio, gave a broken wind handle, on the second wind. Inspection showed a poor grade of plastic was used in a stress point, on the gears and handle, used to wind up the power generator.
A potato peeler that looked like the famous Ecko peeler, had sharp burrs, and a poor method to hold the cutting assembly in place. It lasted for one potato peel, before it fell apart. Of course it went into the scrap metal bin.
A can opener, that would not even cling to the can for the cans top to be removed.
Then there are the Ginsu type knife set, that looks and feels shabby, with a poorly made holding block, making it awkward to put the knife back in place. Wont go on with the listing, though there were other products that were also disposed of. Its not necessarily the assembly line people at fault, its also the design and quality of material used. Do recall that decades past Japan also went through the shabby product situation, reputation wise. So can only offer that the thinking process needs to focus heavily on design and quality. Meanwhile I will focus more on where my future purchases were produced.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
# 7 Peaceful Warrior Index
# 15 Talkers Thoughts on Medical Experiments on Children
Click Here
# 14 P.T. Barnum Would Approve Kevin Trudeau's Ways!
Click Here
# 13 Talkers Thoughts on Common Sense and All Wars
Click Here
# 12 God, Man and the Bible Thoughts
Click Here
# 11 Autism Ray of Hope and Progress
Click Here
# 10 Medical Paperwork and You
Click Here
# 9 quality Service ! Sez Who ?
Click Here
# 8 To Manufacturers In China: Quality
Click Here
7 Peaceful Warrior Index
Click Here
# 6 Sioux Indian Story anger 4/6/07
Click Here
# 5 Ever Work At These Places! 1/9/07
Click Here
# 4 Talker & The Babbler : On The God Concept 12/31/06
Click Here
# 3 Simple Body ! No Way! 12/30/06
Click Here
# 2 Truth Is Like A Rubber Band 12/26/06
Click Here
# 1 Things I Think About 11/25/06
Click Here
Click Here
# 14 P.T. Barnum Would Approve Kevin Trudeau's Ways!
Click Here
# 13 Talkers Thoughts on Common Sense and All Wars
Click Here
# 12 God, Man and the Bible Thoughts
Click Here
# 11 Autism Ray of Hope and Progress
Click Here
# 10 Medical Paperwork and You
Click Here
# 9 quality Service ! Sez Who ?
Click Here
# 8 To Manufacturers In China: Quality
Click Here
7 Peaceful Warrior Index
Click Here
# 6 Sioux Indian Story anger 4/6/07
Click Here
# 5 Ever Work At These Places! 1/9/07
Click Here
# 4 Talker & The Babbler : On The God Concept 12/31/06
Click Here
# 3 Simple Body ! No Way! 12/30/06
Click Here
# 2 Truth Is Like A Rubber Band 12/26/06
Click Here
# 1 Things I Think About 11/25/06
Click Here
Friday, April 06, 2007
# 6 Sioux Indian Story
First came across a version of this, going back to the early days, in Marshfield, WI. Was doing the sound and electrical at John Muir high school in Wausau, WI. So here I am, at the top of a ten foot step-ladder, head and shoulders above the ceiling grid, doing my thing. Up in that area, I spot some graffiti like, blackmarker scribbling. So I crawl up and in, to get closer to read what's there. The words were some thing like this "words and actions, are like a stone thrown into a lake, causing ripples to spread out in all directions, and you never know,whose life you touched..
"So fifty years later , I find a probable source , but no author as yet..
Ah yes , that slip of a remark, said in anger!
Ah yes, that careless tid-bit!
Dont let them come back to haunt you.
..............................................................................
Sioux Indian Story
"My grandfather took me to the fish pond on the farm when I was about seven, and he told me to throw a stone into the water. He told me to watch the circles created by the stone. Then he asked me to think of myself as that stone person."You may create lots of splashes in your life but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb the peace of all your fellow creatures," he said."Remember that you are responsible for what you put in your circle and that circle will also touch many other circles. You will need to live in a way that allows the good that comes from your circle to send the peace of that goodness to others. The splash that comes from anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for both."That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.
Author Unknown
"So fifty years later , I find a probable source , but no author as yet..
Ah yes , that slip of a remark, said in anger!
Ah yes, that careless tid-bit!
Dont let them come back to haunt you.
..............................................................................
Sioux Indian Story
"My grandfather took me to the fish pond on the farm when I was about seven, and he told me to throw a stone into the water. He told me to watch the circles created by the stone. Then he asked me to think of myself as that stone person."You may create lots of splashes in your life but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb the peace of all your fellow creatures," he said."Remember that you are responsible for what you put in your circle and that circle will also touch many other circles. You will need to live in a way that allows the good that comes from your circle to send the peace of that goodness to others. The splash that comes from anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for both."That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
# 5 Ever Work At These Places! Cory, Wards , Dynascan
Places of interest, that I was involved with.
How many "former employees" from any of these places, are still around from the 60's , 70's and 80's !
Montgomery Ward.
Cory Food Services.
B & K Dynascan.
Leave a comment if you recall the face in the picture here.
Would enjoy hearing from any, especially those I trained in classes.
How many "former employees" from any of these places, are still around from the 60's , 70's and 80's !
Montgomery Ward.
Cory Food Services.
B & K Dynascan.
Leave a comment if you recall the face in the picture here.
Would enjoy hearing from any, especially those I trained in classes.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
# 4 Talker & The Babbler : On The God Concept
( "Tap tap,Yo, Talker, it's me Babbler, do I have your attention?" ) Yup, I'm listening, what woke you up ? ("Seems you have been having a string of "God" questions, floating around that I've been bumping into lately" says Babbler) Well, I've been busy, but "what are you asking"? (Babbler comes back with "what's this, yes there is a God, but not a God like many people are led to believe." ) Okay, I'll explain it to..... ( Babbler interrupts with "and would you please clarify, those loose thoughts about the Bible, that are being mingled in with the God-thoughts."). You just couldn't have a nice simple go at it, with my speaking about God only, could you. (" Well, it's been some while since you let me sneak in and inquire" snaps Babbler). If you promise not to interrupt or ask any more questions I'll continue. (With big sigh-like sound Babbler says. "Okay") Recognized is the fact, that nothing will truly be resolved, by my voicing what I think about God and religion, as being closer to the reality of it. Some will say "you need faith", "you need to believe", "it's not for us to question" or some similar type statement. Blind faith, I do not have, but faith in a higher power, is, what I have, and, that differs from my childhood religion. Yes, I do believe there is a "something" involved, and it does "respond", in a difficult to comprehend fashion. Like "electricity" no one can really give a "real" explanation. But we do "use it" every day, don't we. Theories abound, hundreds of books talk about electricity, but still, nothing explains. "What electricity is". The same applies to religion and the Bible. I find that the web is loaded with things about God, religions and the Bible. These are all difficult topics, that do require, either an open mind, blind faith or a "so what attitude ".
____________________________________
There are over six billion people in this world and each person has his or her own thoughts about God. How can a person know for sure what God is really like?
At some point in your life, you may have had some of the following questions:
Does God exist?
Is there a gender to God?
Is there a heaven and hell?
If so, how does one go to heaven or hell?
What determines, which place one goes too?
Why are there so many religions and which one is right?
Is the Bible really true?
Is any one bible, more true than another?
Is it "Jesus Christ" or "Jesus The Christ"?
___________________________________
So here we go again. Ask the above question to a thousand people, and you're likely to get a thousand different answers. And to each, and every one of them, it could be their truth, but not necessarily true. Wow! As is the case, the past does not supply answers, and who knows what the future will bring. Everything, but what I want to know. People talk about God, like scientist talk about electricity, and some of it sounds pretty good. Much of it is even believable, taken with a grain of salt. From what I've read, God spoke to many people in the Old Testament. What was the form of that speaking? Was it actually a voice coming down from the clouds? Or was it as I call it "a feeling tone"! So what has happened since those old days, if it was an actual voice coming down from the clouds, why isn't it still happening! Watch out though, you will get a long vacation in an institution, if you mention hearing voices from the clouds, to certain authorities.Questions like these, made into a list, would be endless. Many were the times Babbler, that I did not pursue questions like the following: Is God, a male or a female? Not that it's important, but would there be ethnic traits? Where would this God be located? If as some say, "God is in your heart" and if you get a heart transplant, do you get that persons God? How does one prove the existence of a heaven or a hell? When the question comes up on why are there so many religions, it's like that old saying, "different strokes for different folks", and that the right one, is the one, that you believe in. In view of all the controversy, regards God and religion, and that's not going to change in the foreseeable future, is there any resolve! I sure don't have an answer, and it appears that no one else, has either. Somewhat humorously, my Babbler just brought up, mention of what I had posted on my blog "Truth Is Like A Rubber Band." So now, in that I cannot further clarify the God concept, I close with the following thoughts: That which I say now, may seem to contradict what I have written, but that is not my intent. My "feeling tones" indicate that there is a power, that I call God. That this God-Power, shares with all life forms, a difficult to explain, oneness. That we are unique in our individual awareness, but common with the oneness, of what is called, God .Of course there are a lot of blanks to be filled in yet. Little things, like angels, devils, heaven and hell, prayers and curses, good and evil. Looking forward to it. Like my mother used to say, "if the shoe fits, wear it". Well, I have one shoe on, wonder what the other shoe will bring!
____________________________________
There are over six billion people in this world and each person has his or her own thoughts about God. How can a person know for sure what God is really like?
At some point in your life, you may have had some of the following questions:
Does God exist?
Is there a gender to God?
Is there a heaven and hell?
If so, how does one go to heaven or hell?
What determines, which place one goes too?
Why are there so many religions and which one is right?
Is the Bible really true?
Is any one bible, more true than another?
Is it "Jesus Christ" or "Jesus The Christ"?
___________________________________
So here we go again. Ask the above question to a thousand people, and you're likely to get a thousand different answers. And to each, and every one of them, it could be their truth, but not necessarily true. Wow! As is the case, the past does not supply answers, and who knows what the future will bring. Everything, but what I want to know. People talk about God, like scientist talk about electricity, and some of it sounds pretty good. Much of it is even believable, taken with a grain of salt. From what I've read, God spoke to many people in the Old Testament. What was the form of that speaking? Was it actually a voice coming down from the clouds? Or was it as I call it "a feeling tone"! So what has happened since those old days, if it was an actual voice coming down from the clouds, why isn't it still happening! Watch out though, you will get a long vacation in an institution, if you mention hearing voices from the clouds, to certain authorities.Questions like these, made into a list, would be endless. Many were the times Babbler, that I did not pursue questions like the following: Is God, a male or a female? Not that it's important, but would there be ethnic traits? Where would this God be located? If as some say, "God is in your heart" and if you get a heart transplant, do you get that persons God? How does one prove the existence of a heaven or a hell? When the question comes up on why are there so many religions, it's like that old saying, "different strokes for different folks", and that the right one, is the one, that you believe in. In view of all the controversy, regards God and religion, and that's not going to change in the foreseeable future, is there any resolve! I sure don't have an answer, and it appears that no one else, has either. Somewhat humorously, my Babbler just brought up, mention of what I had posted on my blog "Truth Is Like A Rubber Band." So now, in that I cannot further clarify the God concept, I close with the following thoughts: That which I say now, may seem to contradict what I have written, but that is not my intent. My "feeling tones" indicate that there is a power, that I call God. That this God-Power, shares with all life forms, a difficult to explain, oneness. That we are unique in our individual awareness, but common with the oneness, of what is called, God .Of course there are a lot of blanks to be filled in yet. Little things, like angels, devils, heaven and hell, prayers and curses, good and evil. Looking forward to it. Like my mother used to say, "if the shoe fits, wear it". Well, I have one shoe on, wonder what the other shoe will bring!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
# 3 Simple Body ! No Way!
So now, "what is this creation,we call a body, that the bible says is Spirit, Soul and Body?" I give "thanks" every day, for the ability to awaken to the beauty of each new day, to see that it is there for my use, to feel the joy and splendor of it all, and to move about with comfort and ease. So "what makes-up the body?"
When I found this data, could only say, "amazing".
No way is it a simple body.
Did You Know...( just came across this )
You have 100,000,000 receptors in your eyes to see with.
You have 24,000 fibers in EACH ear to hear with
You have 500 Muscles, 200 Bones & 7 miles of nerve fiber to move with
You have a heart that pumps more than 600,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of veins & arteries with 36,000,000 beats each year.
You have lungs that have 600,000,000 pockets of folded flesh for you to breathe with.
Your five quarts of blood have 22,000,000,000,000 (trillion)
cells which each have millions of molecules. Each molecule oscillates more than 10,000,000 times each second.
2,000,000 of your blood cells die each second and are replaced
by 2,000,000 more and this has happened since your birth.
Your 3 pound brain has 13,000,000,000 nerve cells to file away every perception that you have experienced since birth just waiting for you to recall it.
You have 4 million pain-sensitive structures to feel with.
Including 500,000 touch detectors and 200,000 temperature sensors.
You stomach has acid strong enough to dissolve nails.
When I found this data, could only say, "amazing".
No way is it a simple body.
Did You Know...( just came across this )
You have 100,000,000 receptors in your eyes to see with.
You have 24,000 fibers in EACH ear to hear with
You have 500 Muscles, 200 Bones & 7 miles of nerve fiber to move with
You have a heart that pumps more than 600,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of veins & arteries with 36,000,000 beats each year.
You have lungs that have 600,000,000 pockets of folded flesh for you to breathe with.
Your five quarts of blood have 22,000,000,000,000 (trillion)
cells which each have millions of molecules. Each molecule oscillates more than 10,000,000 times each second.
2,000,000 of your blood cells die each second and are replaced
by 2,000,000 more and this has happened since your birth.
Your 3 pound brain has 13,000,000,000 nerve cells to file away every perception that you have experienced since birth just waiting for you to recall it.
You have 4 million pain-sensitive structures to feel with.
Including 500,000 touch detectors and 200,000 temperature sensors.
You stomach has acid strong enough to dissolve nails.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
# 2 Truth Is Like A Rubber Band
Well now, many are the times when my Babbler (see "The Psychics Blog") is hard at work doing his thing. Brought up to conscious mind are various thoughts that have accumulated over the years, and for some reason, Babbler is winnowing through these thoughts for answers to clear the muddy waters. Thoughts that I wrestle with and seemingly, resolve to my satisfaction, won't solve world problems, but helps in quieting Babblers incessant chatter. While I feel that I got fair control of Babbler, he can sure stir-up the kettle of "what's this thought all about?".Just the other day Babbler raised the issue of "Truth". So I just poked around and pondered about "what is truth!". My first thought was "truth is like a rubber band and about as solid as a handful of smoke". One thought led to another, somewhat in this fashion.There can be many Truths. (Say what! Isn't true, truth? Asks Babbler.) Not exactly, as, each person sees "Truths" through their own "eyes" and "feeling tones", making truth a variable for each person. (Ya, but isn't the color red for instance, red to everyone, asks the Babbler) Well, not exactly Babbler, not all people see color the same, so no, the color red is not necessarily seen as red, by all people. ( What are you saying, that the color red is not the color red, asks Babbler ) Will keep it simple and just say that color is based on hue, saturation and brightness and that all color is a frequency. Altering any one of those attributes, affects how one sees that color, the same process applies truth. On top of all that, we each have our own perfections or imperfections if you will, that affects what one perceives as truth or sees as color. (All I asked was, what is truth, why are you off on a color tangent, inquirers Babbler). Patience now Babbler, perhaps you’ll understand that after I'm done here. Truth is also connected to another theme. (Exasperated, Babbler asks "oh boy, here we go again, what is this one about!). It's called "swearing in, a witness.". (Babbler comes back with " What! Are we going to start cussing now?") Oh, stop it now and listen. It's a process where a person is asked to raise their right hand and answer the question of: "do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." We can also toss in ones upbringing, education, religion, age and a few other conditions. (Thoroughly frustrated, Babbler says. "Boy oh boy, you are really something, all I did was ask about truth, and you're all over, into themes, sayings and even to doing a little swearing) All-right Babbler, here's how I see truth, "Truths will adjust or stretch, to accommodate a given situation". I've heard that it's unusual for any group of people involved in or describing what was heard or seen, for a given situation, to have 100% agreement on what was seen or heard. That my dear Babbler, is what I'm leading too, about truth. Let's for instance, take a hypothetical accident situation, witnessed by 10 people. Let's further say, that this group of people, are a mix, of male, female, and range in age from nine to eighty, and that it is also early evening, and it is raining lightly, and that there are traffic monitoring cameras at this busy intersection. So now the police arrive and start taking statements from the 10 witnesses. Each witness, described ,where they were and what they saw at the time of the accident. Upon reviewing the traffic monitoring cameras tape, a police officer wrote the following report: crossing the street, one female Hispanic approximately 15 years of age, carrying a brown and white dog. Also observed on that tape, is a tan and black Ford pickup running a red traffic control, signal light, striking a blue and gray four-door Chevrolet, that causes the Chevrolet to strike the Hispanic child crossing the street, knocking this child off her feet. Keep in mind that this is a hypothetical accident situation. Now enters an insurance adjuster to review all of this information. So what we have here now, is a videotape of the accident, and 10 witness statements. Of the 10 witness statements, there are only a few details that match the actual accident situation as shown on the videotape.Now Babbler, here are my questions, "if all 10 witnesses saw the same accident, described the same scene from where they were positioned at the time, why would only a few details match the actual accident situation? So as mentioned earlier, red is not necessarily red, and truth is not necessarily true. Did someone lie! Not necessarily, most probable, is that all are true, "but only for the person making the statement."So Babbler, you see "truth is a variable that can be quite different for everyone".
Saturday, November 25, 2006
# 1 Things I Think About
Prayer ................................................................................................................
...........Truth .......................................................................................................
.....................Health.............................................................................................
................................computers...........................................................................
.................................................The.bible............................................................
.................................................................God.....................................................
........................................................................New.Age.....................................
........................................................................................Magik..........................
...................................................................................................Life...................
.........................................................................................................After.life... ....................................................................................!...
...........Truth .......................................................................................................
.....................Health.............................................................................................
................................computers...........................................................................
.................................................The.bible............................................................
.................................................................God.....................................................
........................................................................New.Age.....................................
........................................................................................Magik..........................
...................................................................................................Life...................
.........................................................................................................After.life... ....................................................................................!...
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