What do I see? Take a drive with me…

I see the sunset from underneath a pine tree.

A couple of weeks later, another sunset.

Saturday’s sunrise.

I should stop staring at the sun. It can’t be good for my eyes.

Cloud porn in the Walmart parking lot.

We’ve had some good rain in the past couple of days. Even though I love the rain, my allergies do not. It will take some time before my allergies settle into fall.

I see the sunset reflected on the car in front of me. (The only thing you can see on my car is dirt.)

Unfortunately for me, there’s a Krispy Kreme next to Walmart.

Since I don’t buy as many donuts as I do Dilly Bars, I thought I’d try to save some money. Donuts this month, not Dilly Bars. And you don’t really have to chew donuts, making them very easy for me to eat. (Wow, the excuses we tell ourselves… when really, I just wanted some junk food. It might be junk, but it sure tastes good.)

The last time I went to Krispy Kreme, I told myself I wouldn’t go back. Their donuts used to be worth the price, but they aren’t any longer. That’s still true.

Kelly Liquors is next to Krispy Kreme, but they’d sell a lot more donuts if they were next to a weed dispensary.

I’m not happy that I wasted money on Krispy Kremes, but I did catch a great sunrise. Happy Daylight Savings Time. 🙂

#DearCDC: Access to pain treatment is a human right

My comment, posted on the CDC’s Facebook page dated November 4th (“We must focus on the most vulnerable and be ready to help them.” CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat):

Speaking of the most vulnerable in our society…

#DearCDC: Access to pain treatment is a human right.

(2010) Access to pain treatment as a human right. Summary: According to international human rights law, countries have to provide pain treatment medications as part of their core obligations under the right to health; failure to take reasonable steps to ensure that people who suffer pain have access to adequate pain treatment may result in the violation of the obligation to protect against cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

#DearCDC: How many lawyers does it take to protect the CDC?

#DearCDC: How many pain patients does it take to sue the CDC for cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment? Just one.

#DearCDC: How many CDC employees does it take to screw in a light bulb? None. They prefer to remain in the dark.

Hero or Villain?

“They say everyone’s born a hero. But if you let it, life will push you over the line, until you are the villain.” Marvel’s Jessica Jones

In the drug war, there are no heroes or villains. Just a bunch of people suffering.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/the-whitecoats-dont-care-one-mans-desperation-and-death-when-pain-clinics-close/

Two days before he shot himself in the head, Denny Peck called 911 and said he couldn’t stand the pain. Peck, 58, told the fire-department dispatcher that he had been a patient of Seattle Pain Centers, a chain of Washington clinics, until it closed abruptly in July amid allegations of improper oversight and patient deaths…

The poverty in being single

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose…

You got a fast car
I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money…

I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone…

Growing up, I don’t remember wanting to “be someone.” As a woman, I’m not sure I had too many options. Especially if I choose to be single.

You got a fast car
We go cruising, entertain ourselves
You still ain’t got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You’ll find work and I’ll get promoted
We’ll move out of the shelter
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs

You got a fast car
I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I’d always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me find it
I got no plans I ain’t going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

Being single is expensive. Rent is cheaper with a roommate. Tax laws favor not only the rich, but also those who are married. (Because religion.) Insurance is the same way. Everything is cheaper when you’re married.

When you think about it, most married people are financially better off than single people. This is enough of an incentive for some women to marry just about anyone with a pulse and an income. These days, I guess things aren’t that different for men.

Being single is one of the ways I manage my pain. For some, it’s easier to manage pain (and life) with a partner. I find that taking care of myself is a full-time job. I don’t have the strength to take care of anyone else. But, am I willing to find and marry someone just to better my financial condition? Seems like women don’t have a lot of options these days to make it on their own, like Mary Tyler Moore had taught us: