Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 98
March 9, 2018
Introducing Nehemiah
It’s been a month since I last shared an excerpt from my novel “Where the Sky Meets the Sand”. Most of the passages I’ve posted here so far have been from the perspective of the woman Jenny or the boy she saves. Her husband as well as two missionaries to Africa tell their stories within the pages of the book as well.
Today I thought I would introduce Nehemiah. He is a native of Kenya and has a deep love for his country and her people. He is also devoted to the work he and his partner do in spreading the word of Jesus Christ. In addition, when this tall black man has the scene, you will find something to smile about. Besides having a wonderful sense of humor, he never turns down food.
“So how are our travel plans coming along?” John asked his Kenyan friend. Nehemiah put down his spoon. He had forgotten how good the soup was at this particular restaurant. He was glad John had picked this place to meet up to discuss their upcoming mission work. “I have our airline reservations to Nairobi. We leave Indianapolis on the seventeenth. Have you finished your work here?”“I did the best I could.” John was the speaker of the two. He had spent most of the winter months driving across the country seeking sponsors for their work. The slide presentation he gave at dozens of churches documented their ongoing work throughout Eastern Africa. “We have enough funds to at least get there. God will furnish the rest.”“That’s what you always say.” Nehemiah picked up his bowl and slurped up the rest of his soup. It was too good to miss a drop. “Have you talked to that woman from Chicago again?” “No, but I am giving my presentation at her church next week.”“Really? So, you’ll meet her then?”“I hope so. Like I said, I haven’t talked to her except the one time.” Their waitress removed their soup bowls and poured more ice water into their glasses.“Then how?” Nehemiah was confused. He had thought that this woman would have been the first person John had solicited for donations.“The first time I talked to her, she told me what church she attends. I am just hoping that she sees the flyers and shows up. I wouldn’t think she would miss a slide show of Africa, would she?”Nehemiah shrugged.“You’ll have to join me. You’ll want to meet her too, I’m sure.”Nehemiah craned his neck towards the kitchen, only half listening. If the main course was half as good as the soup, he didn’t want to wait for it much longer. “I’d love to. I just hope you are not disappointed if she is not there. And I hope I am not disappointed with my steak.”
From our first trip to Kenya. Val is doing a teaching on the importance of hand-washing. The man in the red jacket is interpreting for her. He was the inspiration for Nehemiah. I regret that I don't remember his name.
Today I thought I would introduce Nehemiah. He is a native of Kenya and has a deep love for his country and her people. He is also devoted to the work he and his partner do in spreading the word of Jesus Christ. In addition, when this tall black man has the scene, you will find something to smile about. Besides having a wonderful sense of humor, he never turns down food.
“So how are our travel plans coming along?” John asked his Kenyan friend. Nehemiah put down his spoon. He had forgotten how good the soup was at this particular restaurant. He was glad John had picked this place to meet up to discuss their upcoming mission work. “I have our airline reservations to Nairobi. We leave Indianapolis on the seventeenth. Have you finished your work here?”“I did the best I could.” John was the speaker of the two. He had spent most of the winter months driving across the country seeking sponsors for their work. The slide presentation he gave at dozens of churches documented their ongoing work throughout Eastern Africa. “We have enough funds to at least get there. God will furnish the rest.”“That’s what you always say.” Nehemiah picked up his bowl and slurped up the rest of his soup. It was too good to miss a drop. “Have you talked to that woman from Chicago again?” “No, but I am giving my presentation at her church next week.”“Really? So, you’ll meet her then?”“I hope so. Like I said, I haven’t talked to her except the one time.” Their waitress removed their soup bowls and poured more ice water into their glasses.“Then how?” Nehemiah was confused. He had thought that this woman would have been the first person John had solicited for donations.“The first time I talked to her, she told me what church she attends. I am just hoping that she sees the flyers and shows up. I wouldn’t think she would miss a slide show of Africa, would she?”Nehemiah shrugged.“You’ll have to join me. You’ll want to meet her too, I’m sure.”Nehemiah craned his neck towards the kitchen, only half listening. If the main course was half as good as the soup, he didn’t want to wait for it much longer. “I’d love to. I just hope you are not disappointed if she is not there. And I hope I am not disappointed with my steak.”
From our first trip to Kenya. Val is doing a teaching on the importance of hand-washing. The man in the red jacket is interpreting for her. He was the inspiration for Nehemiah. I regret that I don't remember his name.
March 7, 2018
Coming to the Clinic - part 3
For a couple weeks now, I’ve been sharing ways you can get the most out of your appointment with your medical provider. Last week, I gave you some hints on making that appointment. Today I’ll tell you how best to check-in for it.
1) When you were making your appointment, if you were told to come early (anywhere from ten to twenty minutes), you should abide by that recommendation. If your appointment is 10:00 and you are walking in the door of the building at that time, you may end up waiting in line for five minutes before you can even check in. Then the PSR (you were told before who that person is, click this link if you forgot) needs to update your insurance information in the computer. You didn’t bring your insurance card? Really? Coz then I think you should be sent home to try again another day. You might also be asked to make your co-payment. I know this is a pain and sometimes even painful. Just remember, the PSR who is asking for your hard-earned money is only doing her job. You wouldn’t expect McDonald’s to give you your Big Mac without paying for it, would you? 2) After you check in, please have a seat in whatever waiting room the PSR has directed you to. Do not, I mean do NOT go to the bathroom. I am sooo sorry, but didn’t your mom ever teach you to go to the bathroom before you leave the house? If the staff comes out to the waiting room to get you and you are not there, you might lose your turn and end up waiting longer to be seen. Also, another well-meaning patient might announce to God and the rest of the room that you had to empty your bladder. Do you really want to be embarrassed like that? 3) Speaking of going to the bathroom, there is one time when you shouldn’t go before you leave your house. If you are having any kind of bladder or kidney issues, we are going to need to get a urine sample from you. After you check in, if the PSR hasn’t already mentioned to you about giving us a sample, ask her if you can pee in a cup. We can always dump it if, for some reason, your provider is not so interested in your urine. But better safe than sorry.
4) Oh, and before you take a seat in the waiting room, you can hang up your coat. And it’s okay to leave it there. You do not need to bring your coat back with you. I know it is cold in the exam room, but why do you want to drag that heavy thing around with you? (You’ll find out why I mention this next week.) 5) If you are hard of hearing, it would be to your benefit to sit closer to the door where you are going to be called from, if you know which one that is. Or at least be facing the door and trying to watch for the staff. I know you haven’t seen your old high school buddy in many years and you are thrilled you ran into them in the waiting room, and we hate to interrupt your conversation, but maybe, just maybe you can meet for coffee later.
I’m sure there’s a lot more that I forgot (such as to remind you again to bring all of your medication in their original containers and that it’s okay to bring a well-meaning friend or family member along, especially if things may get complicated and you may forget everything we tell you).
I’d love to hear what other thoughts you have, whether you are a patient or a health-care worker. You can post a comment below.
The waiting room at the clinic in Saikeri, Kenya, where I volunteered for a couple days in 2013. If I was a patient in this waiting room outside, I probably wouldn't pay attention to anything but the beauty of Africa.
1) When you were making your appointment, if you were told to come early (anywhere from ten to twenty minutes), you should abide by that recommendation. If your appointment is 10:00 and you are walking in the door of the building at that time, you may end up waiting in line for five minutes before you can even check in. Then the PSR (you were told before who that person is, click this link if you forgot) needs to update your insurance information in the computer. You didn’t bring your insurance card? Really? Coz then I think you should be sent home to try again another day. You might also be asked to make your co-payment. I know this is a pain and sometimes even painful. Just remember, the PSR who is asking for your hard-earned money is only doing her job. You wouldn’t expect McDonald’s to give you your Big Mac without paying for it, would you? 2) After you check in, please have a seat in whatever waiting room the PSR has directed you to. Do not, I mean do NOT go to the bathroom. I am sooo sorry, but didn’t your mom ever teach you to go to the bathroom before you leave the house? If the staff comes out to the waiting room to get you and you are not there, you might lose your turn and end up waiting longer to be seen. Also, another well-meaning patient might announce to God and the rest of the room that you had to empty your bladder. Do you really want to be embarrassed like that? 3) Speaking of going to the bathroom, there is one time when you shouldn’t go before you leave your house. If you are having any kind of bladder or kidney issues, we are going to need to get a urine sample from you. After you check in, if the PSR hasn’t already mentioned to you about giving us a sample, ask her if you can pee in a cup. We can always dump it if, for some reason, your provider is not so interested in your urine. But better safe than sorry.
4) Oh, and before you take a seat in the waiting room, you can hang up your coat. And it’s okay to leave it there. You do not need to bring your coat back with you. I know it is cold in the exam room, but why do you want to drag that heavy thing around with you? (You’ll find out why I mention this next week.) 5) If you are hard of hearing, it would be to your benefit to sit closer to the door where you are going to be called from, if you know which one that is. Or at least be facing the door and trying to watch for the staff. I know you haven’t seen your old high school buddy in many years and you are thrilled you ran into them in the waiting room, and we hate to interrupt your conversation, but maybe, just maybe you can meet for coffee later.
I’m sure there’s a lot more that I forgot (such as to remind you again to bring all of your medication in their original containers and that it’s okay to bring a well-meaning friend or family member along, especially if things may get complicated and you may forget everything we tell you).
I’d love to hear what other thoughts you have, whether you are a patient or a health-care worker. You can post a comment below.
The waiting room at the clinic in Saikeri, Kenya, where I volunteered for a couple days in 2013. If I was a patient in this waiting room outside, I probably wouldn't pay attention to anything but the beauty of Africa. March 4, 2018
Where were you?
During the Sundays in Lent this year, I’ve been sharing various songs and hymns which tell about the events of Jesus’ final days. Not a lot of happiness to share here, but still some beautiful words.
Though one version of this song claims Johnny Cash as its lyricist, the song was originally written by African-American slaves in the 1800s. It was first published in 1899 in William Eleazar Barton's “Old Plantation Hymns”.
It looks like a long song, but that’s because of its arrangement, repeating three lines in each stanza. It is beautiful, though. If you’ve heard it before, the tune will surely come right back to you as you read.
1. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
2. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
3. Were you there when they pierced him in the side?Were you there when they pierced him in the side?Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
4. Were you there when the sun refused to shine?Were you there when the sun refused to shine?Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
5. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
6. Were you there when he rose up from the dead?Were you there when he rose up from the dead?Sometimes I feel like shouting 'Glory, glory, glory!'Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
My favorite line is “when the sun refused to shine”. The Bible tells us that on the first Good Friday, the sky went dark as Jesus hung on the cross. But the way this line is written makes me think that even the sun was showing respect for our Lord and Savior.
This cross is at the Pilgrim Center in Ripon, Wisconsin, overlooking Green Lake, taken in October 2016. March 2, 2018
A Birthday Wish
Last Friday, I shared some old pictures from birthday parties from my childhood. Today, I’m sharing the birthday of an icon from everyone’s childhood. On March 2, 1904, Theodor Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to Henrietta and Theodor Robert Geisel. The senior Geisel ran the family brewery, but after the brewery closed because of Prohibition, the Springfield mayor appointed him to supervise the public park system. The boy was raised on Fairfield Street which was less than a mile from another street which he would one day make famous.
He graduated from Springfield Central High School in 1921 and went on to attend Dartmouth College. While in college, he worked his way up to become editor-in-chief of the humor magazine Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern. However, one night he and nine friends were caught in his room drinking gin. Due to Prohibition, it was illegal to possess or consume alcohol. As punishment, the young Theodor was told he had to give up all extracurricular activities, including the college humor magazine. So that he could continue working on the Jack-O-Lantern publication, he began signing his work with a pen name, using his middle name which was also his mother’s maiden name. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1925 and went on to graduate school at Oxford University, hoping to earn a PhD in English literature. While there he met Helen Palmer, the first person to really encourage him to become an illustrator. After two years, he dropped out and returned home, where he created cartoons and illustrations for several magazines and advertising firms. It was lucrative work, enough so that he and his wife Helen were able to live comfortably and travel extensively. In 1936, returning home from one such trip, the rhythm of the ship they traveled on inspired Theodor to write a poem. He borrowed the title from that street in his childhood neighborhood and after being rejected by over 20 publishers, it would become his first published book. He would eventually write 48 books, mostly for children. Over 200 million copies of these books would be sold and they would be translated into many languages. A few books he published under the pen name Theo LeSieg, his last name spelled backwards. But most people probably recognize him by the pen name he first adopted during college. Happy Birthday, Mr. Geisel. Thanks for giving us and our kids all those wonderful words.
(Hunting for a picture that’s right, to give this subject light. But if I posted it here, the man’s name would be too clear.)
February 28, 2018
Coming to the Clinic - part 2
Last Wednesday I started writing a goofy little series on how to be a star patient when you go to your doctor’s appointment. Last week I filled you in on who all the people are who you might meet on your visit. Today, I still don’t have you quite to your appointment.
Because, you need to do some things beforehand.
1) Call for your appointment. This seems like a no-brainer. Like who can mess this one up, right? Sure. Yesterday, I made an appointment for myself, over the phone, with a new provider. Before I called, I made sure I had my insurance information and my calendar, even though I ended up on hold for about five minutes before a real person answered. When someone finally picked up, I knew what I wanted and when I wanted it, but was also open to options. When you make your appointment, have realistic expectations. The person on the other end of that phone really is trying to get you a time, date and provider that works best for you, but sometimes the stars just don’t align. If you can only make it at 10:00 next Tuesday, you are going to have to see whoever is available. Or if you only ever want to see Doctor Dreamy, you might have to wait until next September.
2) You’re leaving today’s appointment and are willing to make your appointment for next year. These patients always fascinate me. Who knows what they are doing a year from now? But, God bless them, I love those people. Thing is, things do change and if that appointment suddenly no longer works for you, give us a call as soon as you can to change it. We have other patients who would be happy to take your time slot if you aren’t going to make it. 3) Walk-ins. I suppose this shouldn’t be under the “before your appointment” heading, coz here you are wanting an appointment right now. All clinics are different. Some embrace walk-ins, others have a strict policy against it. A lot of clinics wish they could take walk-ins or same day add-ons, but their schedules just don’t allow it. You need to find out what your clinic’s policy is and try your hardest to adhere to it. Yes, of course, things come up and no matter what management says, your provider might be able to squeeze you in, but don’t count on it and don’t begrudge them the right to have a life and turn you away.
What, by the way, is a legitimate reason to walk in to your clinic and ask to be seen ASAP? Again, that is going to vary from clinic to clinic. At one time, our clinic tried Advanced Access, this model where any patient could get in to see any provider pretty much any time they wanted. I never figured out how that could possibly work, but some supposed expert said, yes, it will work and here’s how. Needless to say, hmm? I don’t remember if it even worked for a week by us. But I digress. Simple, acute illnesses, like ear aches, sore throats, a gouty toe, all might easily be worked into your providers’ schedule. A shoulder that’s been hurting for three weeks and today you decide is the day you want it to be checked out? I wouldn’t count on being seen the same day for that. If it’s been a problem for a couple weeks, a couple more days won’t matter. Likewise, if you woke up this morning with a stuffed-up nose, there is not a darn thing we are going to do about it. You have a cold, or maybe allergies, and you need to give it some time. 4 4) Incidentals. (I cannot believe I spelled that right on the first try.) There are so many other things, such as making sure your insurance covers the clinic as well as the particular provider you are seeing, finding the clinic, finding a parking spot, finding someone to drive you there when your car breaks down, how much you will be appreciated if you have taken a shower and are wearing clean clothes, and so many other things that I can’t mention them all. One thing though, which will be an entire episode down the road in this series, is to bring an updated list of every medication you are taking or even bring the bottles. Since this is a whole topic of its own, I won’t elaborate now, but just know, it’s coming.
Come back next week and I might actually have you checking in for your appointment.
When you call your clinic, give the people on the other end a break, coz you never know what kind of phone system they are dealing with.
Because, you need to do some things beforehand.
1) Call for your appointment. This seems like a no-brainer. Like who can mess this one up, right? Sure. Yesterday, I made an appointment for myself, over the phone, with a new provider. Before I called, I made sure I had my insurance information and my calendar, even though I ended up on hold for about five minutes before a real person answered. When someone finally picked up, I knew what I wanted and when I wanted it, but was also open to options. When you make your appointment, have realistic expectations. The person on the other end of that phone really is trying to get you a time, date and provider that works best for you, but sometimes the stars just don’t align. If you can only make it at 10:00 next Tuesday, you are going to have to see whoever is available. Or if you only ever want to see Doctor Dreamy, you might have to wait until next September.
2) You’re leaving today’s appointment and are willing to make your appointment for next year. These patients always fascinate me. Who knows what they are doing a year from now? But, God bless them, I love those people. Thing is, things do change and if that appointment suddenly no longer works for you, give us a call as soon as you can to change it. We have other patients who would be happy to take your time slot if you aren’t going to make it. 3) Walk-ins. I suppose this shouldn’t be under the “before your appointment” heading, coz here you are wanting an appointment right now. All clinics are different. Some embrace walk-ins, others have a strict policy against it. A lot of clinics wish they could take walk-ins or same day add-ons, but their schedules just don’t allow it. You need to find out what your clinic’s policy is and try your hardest to adhere to it. Yes, of course, things come up and no matter what management says, your provider might be able to squeeze you in, but don’t count on it and don’t begrudge them the right to have a life and turn you away.
What, by the way, is a legitimate reason to walk in to your clinic and ask to be seen ASAP? Again, that is going to vary from clinic to clinic. At one time, our clinic tried Advanced Access, this model where any patient could get in to see any provider pretty much any time they wanted. I never figured out how that could possibly work, but some supposed expert said, yes, it will work and here’s how. Needless to say, hmm? I don’t remember if it even worked for a week by us. But I digress. Simple, acute illnesses, like ear aches, sore throats, a gouty toe, all might easily be worked into your providers’ schedule. A shoulder that’s been hurting for three weeks and today you decide is the day you want it to be checked out? I wouldn’t count on being seen the same day for that. If it’s been a problem for a couple weeks, a couple more days won’t matter. Likewise, if you woke up this morning with a stuffed-up nose, there is not a darn thing we are going to do about it. You have a cold, or maybe allergies, and you need to give it some time. 4 4) Incidentals. (I cannot believe I spelled that right on the first try.) There are so many other things, such as making sure your insurance covers the clinic as well as the particular provider you are seeing, finding the clinic, finding a parking spot, finding someone to drive you there when your car breaks down, how much you will be appreciated if you have taken a shower and are wearing clean clothes, and so many other things that I can’t mention them all. One thing though, which will be an entire episode down the road in this series, is to bring an updated list of every medication you are taking or even bring the bottles. Since this is a whole topic of its own, I won’t elaborate now, but just know, it’s coming.
Come back next week and I might actually have you checking in for your appointment.
When you call your clinic, give the people on the other end a break, coz you never know what kind of phone system they are dealing with. February 25, 2018
Lent and Several Rabbit Holes
Last Sunday, when I wrote here what I was going to write about for the next six weeks, I naturally didn’t have a clue what kind of rabbit holes I would go down. I thought I would, on an internet search, find six appropriate songs or hymns which focus on Lent, Good Friday, Easter morning. You get that, right? Shouldn’t be so hard.
For starters, that initial list of songs which I found has already gone out the window. Oh, I shouldn’t say that. They are still here staring at me, but not speaking to me. So, I reverted back to the old Lutheran hymnals I have laying around the house.
Yes, there are two. The first one – The Lutheran Hymnal – is from 1941 and belonged to my mom’s dad’s cousin, I think. The second one – Lutheran Worship - replaced that first one in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in 1982. In 2006, we switched to the Lutheran Service Book, and aren’t you glad I don’t have a copy of that sitting around the house. (I really need to downsize!) (Or get on medication for attention deficit.)
Anyway, looking through both those old hymnals, I stumbled across – in the second one – the song below. The words were written by the daughter of a pastor, who went on to also marry a minister. She devoted herself to writing hymns, over 150 of them, many of which were geared towards children.
I could tell you why I like the words, but you should read them for yourself and come up with your own thoughts. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any YouTube videos which didn’t make me cringe. I guess you will just have to enjoy the words as they are.
O Lord, throughout these forty days you prayed and kept the fast; inspire repentance for our sin, and free us from our past.
You strove with Satan, and you won; your faithfulness endured; lend us your nerve, your skill and trust in God's eternal word.
Though parched and hungry, yet you prayed and fixed your mind above; so teach us to deny ourselves that we may know God's love.
Be with us through this season, Lord, and all our earthly days, that when the final Easter dawns, we join in heaven's praise.
Words by: Claudia Frances Hernaman (1873)
I arrived in Ayacucho, Peru on Easter Sunday in 2009, for a one-week volunteer experience.
This cross was on the hill overlooking the city, left behind from Good Friday.
For starters, that initial list of songs which I found has already gone out the window. Oh, I shouldn’t say that. They are still here staring at me, but not speaking to me. So, I reverted back to the old Lutheran hymnals I have laying around the house.
Yes, there are two. The first one – The Lutheran Hymnal – is from 1941 and belonged to my mom’s dad’s cousin, I think. The second one – Lutheran Worship - replaced that first one in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in 1982. In 2006, we switched to the Lutheran Service Book, and aren’t you glad I don’t have a copy of that sitting around the house. (I really need to downsize!) (Or get on medication for attention deficit.)
Anyway, looking through both those old hymnals, I stumbled across – in the second one – the song below. The words were written by the daughter of a pastor, who went on to also marry a minister. She devoted herself to writing hymns, over 150 of them, many of which were geared towards children.
I could tell you why I like the words, but you should read them for yourself and come up with your own thoughts. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any YouTube videos which didn’t make me cringe. I guess you will just have to enjoy the words as they are.
O Lord, throughout these forty days you prayed and kept the fast; inspire repentance for our sin, and free us from our past.
You strove with Satan, and you won; your faithfulness endured; lend us your nerve, your skill and trust in God's eternal word.
Though parched and hungry, yet you prayed and fixed your mind above; so teach us to deny ourselves that we may know God's love.
Be with us through this season, Lord, and all our earthly days, that when the final Easter dawns, we join in heaven's praise.
Words by: Claudia Frances Hernaman (1873)
I arrived in Ayacucho, Peru on Easter Sunday in 2009, for a one-week volunteer experience.This cross was on the hill overlooking the city, left behind from Good Friday.
February 23, 2018
Celebrating Birthdays on Flashback Friday
I’m still slowly working my way through boxes and albums of old photos. I fluctuate between Mom’s and mine, never knowing which set of pictures is going to produce the best gem next.
When I came across this one, I knew I’d stumbled on a rare diamond. I’ve never seen this picture before, don’t know why not. But I love it. It is my sister Pat’s eighth birthday and I am clearly showing my devotion. The girl on the left is our childhood neighbor, Nancy, but I have no clue who the girl on the left is. I’m also not sure where it was taken, certainly not at our house, but possibly at Nancy’s. From the spread of food on the table, there must have been more than the four of us in attendance.
This was of Nancy’s birthday. I know it was taken at her house because that vehicle behind us is the “white van” which was what her mother drove us – and others – to school in. Because there weren’t many kids on our route at the time, this was the actual school bus we rode. It got a little crowded at times. Once, as we were driving down Highway 8, the hood came unlatched and flew off. Scared us all to death. Craziest thing.
Pat’s birthday in 1971. Apparently, no party that year. So much to see in this photo. The orange Crush soda, the seventies décor kitchen. I should have cropped Mom’s orange backside, but hey, it is what it is.
My birthday that same year. That’s Nancy again, on the left, and my cousin Jodean on the right. I had wanted to be a ballerina when I was in kindergarten, but I’m pretty sure that was no longer on my list when I was ten.
Six years later with my friends from high school. And another spread of food.
Aren’t these great? Being the bad mom I was, I don’t know if I have this many pictures from my kids’ birthdays. Or they may still be in the bottom of one of these boxes (the pictures, not my kids).
Have a happy day and a happy birthday - whenever it is.
When I came across this one, I knew I’d stumbled on a rare diamond. I’ve never seen this picture before, don’t know why not. But I love it. It is my sister Pat’s eighth birthday and I am clearly showing my devotion. The girl on the left is our childhood neighbor, Nancy, but I have no clue who the girl on the left is. I’m also not sure where it was taken, certainly not at our house, but possibly at Nancy’s. From the spread of food on the table, there must have been more than the four of us in attendance.
This was of Nancy’s birthday. I know it was taken at her house because that vehicle behind us is the “white van” which was what her mother drove us – and others – to school in. Because there weren’t many kids on our route at the time, this was the actual school bus we rode. It got a little crowded at times. Once, as we were driving down Highway 8, the hood came unlatched and flew off. Scared us all to death. Craziest thing.
Pat’s birthday in 1971. Apparently, no party that year. So much to see in this photo. The orange Crush soda, the seventies décor kitchen. I should have cropped Mom’s orange backside, but hey, it is what it is.
My birthday that same year. That’s Nancy again, on the left, and my cousin Jodean on the right. I had wanted to be a ballerina when I was in kindergarten, but I’m pretty sure that was no longer on my list when I was ten. 
Six years later with my friends from high school. And another spread of food. 
Aren’t these great? Being the bad mom I was, I don’t know if I have this many pictures from my kids’ birthdays. Or they may still be in the bottom of one of these boxes (the pictures, not my kids).
Have a happy day and a happy birthday - whenever it is.
February 21, 2018
Coming to the Clinic - part 1
As some of you know, I have worked in health care for over thirty years. I’ve been in the same position, working as a certified medical assistant with the same doctor in family practice, for the last seventeen years. I love what I do and I love my patients.
But some days – argh – every last one of those patients tests my patience. I wish they had to take a test (and pass it) to be allowed to see their medical professional. If only I could teach a class on how to be the perfect patient.
Hmm? Why not? So here it is, Chris’s Crash Course on Coming to the Clinic. It’s going to be in several installments. I’m not sure how many, coz I am writing this as it comes to me.
So last night, I started writing about all the in’s and out’s of your doctor’s appointments, and it dawned on me that I should back up and give you a run-down on who all the people are who you may encounter.
1) PSR. I don’t know about other clinics, but I think that this is the trend. The first person you meet when you walk in is called the PSR. Stands for patient service representative and used to be called the receptionist. I don’t know why they changed the name, must be something about being politically correct. This person at the front desk does a lot more than “receive” as the term receptionist would imply, so perhaps the name change was warranted. But I still can’t get used to it.
2) PCS. I know, another acronym. This one stands for patient care staff and refers to us people in the back. Most patients call all of us “nurses”, but that is rarely the case. Most clinics that I know of have a few registered nurses (RN) and/or licensed practical nurses (LPN). In general, these professionals went to school to work in hospitals or sometimes nursing homes to deliver direct patient care. The majority of us PCS are medical assistants, either certified or registered, who were trained to work specifically in clinics. A certified MA has gone to school and taken a test offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants, while a registered MA is usually trained on the job and has taken a different test offered by a different certifying board. According to the folks at the AAMA office, these other tests are less intense, but I don’t put a lot of stock in tests or even always in schooling. A person with no formal education can be just as smart and competent as anyone else.
3) Providers. Here again there is a variety of people you may see. When most patients come to the clinic, they say they are going to the doctor, even though they know they may be seeing someone else. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants have at least six to eight years of education and training and are as capable of seeing the majority of patient complaints as a doctor is. Of course, the doctor, who may be an MD (medical doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathy), has the most education and training and will see the most complicated cases in the office.
4) Then there are all the extra staff you may meet on your visit to the clinic, such as the ones who draw your blood (who may also be medical assistants, but more likely will be a trained phlebotomist or medical tech) or the ones who take your xrays (usually a radiology tech). (There are differences in education and training among all these people as well, but I don’t need to further confuse you.) You might even run into billing specialists, medical records clerks, behavioral health specialists or nurse case managers.
Sounds like it takes a lot of people to run the medical clinic you are about to visit. Just know that we are all doing the best job that we can and that we all want to give you the best care possible.
Join me next week to find out what to expect from your visit.
Sometimes our staff is more professional than this.
But some days – argh – every last one of those patients tests my patience. I wish they had to take a test (and pass it) to be allowed to see their medical professional. If only I could teach a class on how to be the perfect patient.
Hmm? Why not? So here it is, Chris’s Crash Course on Coming to the Clinic. It’s going to be in several installments. I’m not sure how many, coz I am writing this as it comes to me.
So last night, I started writing about all the in’s and out’s of your doctor’s appointments, and it dawned on me that I should back up and give you a run-down on who all the people are who you may encounter.
1) PSR. I don’t know about other clinics, but I think that this is the trend. The first person you meet when you walk in is called the PSR. Stands for patient service representative and used to be called the receptionist. I don’t know why they changed the name, must be something about being politically correct. This person at the front desk does a lot more than “receive” as the term receptionist would imply, so perhaps the name change was warranted. But I still can’t get used to it.
2) PCS. I know, another acronym. This one stands for patient care staff and refers to us people in the back. Most patients call all of us “nurses”, but that is rarely the case. Most clinics that I know of have a few registered nurses (RN) and/or licensed practical nurses (LPN). In general, these professionals went to school to work in hospitals or sometimes nursing homes to deliver direct patient care. The majority of us PCS are medical assistants, either certified or registered, who were trained to work specifically in clinics. A certified MA has gone to school and taken a test offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants, while a registered MA is usually trained on the job and has taken a different test offered by a different certifying board. According to the folks at the AAMA office, these other tests are less intense, but I don’t put a lot of stock in tests or even always in schooling. A person with no formal education can be just as smart and competent as anyone else.
3) Providers. Here again there is a variety of people you may see. When most patients come to the clinic, they say they are going to the doctor, even though they know they may be seeing someone else. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants have at least six to eight years of education and training and are as capable of seeing the majority of patient complaints as a doctor is. Of course, the doctor, who may be an MD (medical doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathy), has the most education and training and will see the most complicated cases in the office.
4) Then there are all the extra staff you may meet on your visit to the clinic, such as the ones who draw your blood (who may also be medical assistants, but more likely will be a trained phlebotomist or medical tech) or the ones who take your xrays (usually a radiology tech). (There are differences in education and training among all these people as well, but I don’t need to further confuse you.) You might even run into billing specialists, medical records clerks, behavioral health specialists or nurse case managers.
Sounds like it takes a lot of people to run the medical clinic you are about to visit. Just know that we are all doing the best job that we can and that we all want to give you the best care possible.
Join me next week to find out what to expect from your visit.
Sometimes our staff is more professional than this.
February 18, 2018
Where I'll Stand
If you follow this blog on a regular basis, you know that for the month of December, I wrote three times a week about various Christmas traditions. I usually write about some such theme throughout December and I have tried, in the past, to come up with a theme for Lent - the six weeks prior to Easter - as well. Not quite such an easy task. The secular world hasn’t embraced Lent like it has Christmas, but I believe that is a good thing. It is said that Christmas Eve is the holiest night of the year, but isn’t all of this season, from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday to Easter morning, if not the holiest, certainly the most sacred.
When I did a Google search of Easter or Lenten traditions, I came up with next to nothing. Nothing anyway that I could write about for six weeks. I decided to narrow my search to hymns, since I’ve always loved singing all the hymns we sang in church when I was a kid (I was always totally off key, the way). I checked the hymnal at church. All of the Lenten songs are rather depressing. Yes, we should be somber and solemn when we think about this six weeks culminating in Jesus’ death on the cross. But I just can’t do that.
My Google search of Easter hymns finally showed some results I could live with. I found a variety of songs, from old to new, and will share one each Sunday through Easter morning.
This first song was just written in 2001 by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. It has been done by a variety of performers. I hope you look for some of those videos on YouTube.
“In Christ alone, my hope is found;He is my light, my strength, my song;This cornerstone, this solid ground,Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peace,When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!My comforter, my all in all—Here in the love of Christ I stand.
“In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,Fullness of God in helpless babe!This gift of love and righteousness,Scorned by the ones He came to save.Till on that cross as Jesus died,The wrath of God was satisfied;For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—Here in the death of Christ I live.
“There in the ground His body lay,Light of the world by darkness slain;Then bursting forth in glorious day,Up from the grave He rose again!And as He stands in victory,Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;For I am His and He is mine—Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
“No guilt in life, no fear in death—This is the pow’r of Christ in me;From life’s first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny.No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His hand;Till He returns or calls me home—Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”
— Stuart Townend & Keith GettyCopyright © 2001 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com)
I'm also going through my pictures to share a different cross each Sunday. This one is on the children's ship on the grounds of the Green Lake Conference Center, taken in 2011.
February 16, 2018
A Few Days Into Lent
As I mentioned here a few years ago, when I was a kid most of my friends were Catholic and were obligated to give something up for Lent. It seemed that was all they talked about for those six weeks before Easter. These days, I don’t hear anyone mention it, but surely someone out there, devote Catholic or not, does something every day throughout Lent to remind themselves of the suffering that Jesus endured for us. I hope so at least.
I’ve been thinking about it for a while – what should I give up this year? Something challenging like chocolate (which I have done multiple times)? Something easier like snacking between meals? Something less tangible like thinking badly of others?
A few years ago, an acquaintance sent me a card a few weeks before Easter saying that she was spending the forty days sending a card each day to someone she respected or admired or who just might need a thinking of you card. That sounded like a neat idea, then as now. Then the other day, someone on Facebook asked what people do to grow closer to Jesus during Lent. One of the responses was to literally give something up each day, find something around the house each day that you no longer use or need and throw it out or donate it to charity. Simplify your living space. Or even better, simply simplify your life.
I’ve taken all of those thoughts into consideration and here is what I’ve decided to do in honor of Lent this year.
First, because it would be time-consuming and mind-numbing to go around the house each day choosing one thing to discard, I will instead gather an entire box or bag full of junk once a week to take to Goodwill or St Vincent’s. Or unfortunately throw out because I actually do have a lot of junk around here.
Two years ago I made a list of all the people from my past who I have lost touch with and started trying to track them down. I found the obituary of one of them and another one died suddenly before I got around to sending him a note. I did send a letter to one person from college who I found on-line and he even wrote me back. But there are still ten names on that list and I’m going to try to track down every one of them before Easter and send them each a letter.
In addition, I’m giving up Facebook. I know, what? Looking at the statistics for this blog, I realize that most of you come here from the link I post on Facebook. I post it to other social media as well, but not nearly as many of you come here from those sites. It’s all Facebook for my followers. So, yes, I will still post my blogs for all of you to find and follow. And I will open my personal Facebook page when I am on-line but only to see if anyone is commenting on those few links or mentioning me by name on some other post. I can’t afford to be a total hermit, but I need to stop letting social media suck the life right out of me.
I don’t know. I know that back in the day, when my Catholic friends were told they had to choose something to give up eating or doing from Ash Wednesday until Easter morning, the premise was to suffer like Jesus for those six weeks. But I don’t think it should be about suffering as much as about realizing what matters in this life and what doesn’t. All those posts and random thoughts that everyone puts on Facebook as well as all the clothes in my closet and junk sitting around my house really don’t amount too much, not as much as old college roommates and former co-workers.
What else is important? Spending time with family and friends – in person, not on-line. Enjoying your favorite clothes that you wear all the time instead of those dresses you wear once a year. Owning possessions which have a story to tell instead of being things which take up space on a wall or a floor. Finding peace in the little things. Living a simple life. Practicing all that for the six weeks of Lent, and then holding onto it for the rest of the year.
I’ve been thinking about it for a while – what should I give up this year? Something challenging like chocolate (which I have done multiple times)? Something easier like snacking between meals? Something less tangible like thinking badly of others?
A few years ago, an acquaintance sent me a card a few weeks before Easter saying that she was spending the forty days sending a card each day to someone she respected or admired or who just might need a thinking of you card. That sounded like a neat idea, then as now. Then the other day, someone on Facebook asked what people do to grow closer to Jesus during Lent. One of the responses was to literally give something up each day, find something around the house each day that you no longer use or need and throw it out or donate it to charity. Simplify your living space. Or even better, simply simplify your life.
I’ve taken all of those thoughts into consideration and here is what I’ve decided to do in honor of Lent this year.
First, because it would be time-consuming and mind-numbing to go around the house each day choosing one thing to discard, I will instead gather an entire box or bag full of junk once a week to take to Goodwill or St Vincent’s. Or unfortunately throw out because I actually do have a lot of junk around here.
Two years ago I made a list of all the people from my past who I have lost touch with and started trying to track them down. I found the obituary of one of them and another one died suddenly before I got around to sending him a note. I did send a letter to one person from college who I found on-line and he even wrote me back. But there are still ten names on that list and I’m going to try to track down every one of them before Easter and send them each a letter.
In addition, I’m giving up Facebook. I know, what? Looking at the statistics for this blog, I realize that most of you come here from the link I post on Facebook. I post it to other social media as well, but not nearly as many of you come here from those sites. It’s all Facebook for my followers. So, yes, I will still post my blogs for all of you to find and follow. And I will open my personal Facebook page when I am on-line but only to see if anyone is commenting on those few links or mentioning me by name on some other post. I can’t afford to be a total hermit, but I need to stop letting social media suck the life right out of me.
I don’t know. I know that back in the day, when my Catholic friends were told they had to choose something to give up eating or doing from Ash Wednesday until Easter morning, the premise was to suffer like Jesus for those six weeks. But I don’t think it should be about suffering as much as about realizing what matters in this life and what doesn’t. All those posts and random thoughts that everyone puts on Facebook as well as all the clothes in my closet and junk sitting around my house really don’t amount too much, not as much as old college roommates and former co-workers.
What else is important? Spending time with family and friends – in person, not on-line. Enjoying your favorite clothes that you wear all the time instead of those dresses you wear once a year. Owning possessions which have a story to tell instead of being things which take up space on a wall or a floor. Finding peace in the little things. Living a simple life. Practicing all that for the six weeks of Lent, and then holding onto it for the rest of the year.
