survival « Robin Writes

Yes, I’ve been slacking away here, trying to tie up loose ends all over the place and this last week has just been nuts. So, here’s what we’ve been up to down at the ol’ homestead and other places:

Since the last Work Wednesday, I’ve gone to the doc for a check-up—everything was great, except, you know, that age thing. Doesn’t help that Doc looks about eighteen . . . anyway, after getting my annual bloodwork in a few weeks (Doc’s idea, since I confessed I’d eaten peanut butter cups for breakfast that day), I’m good to go.

Except, well, a week later I had to go in for that yearly, um, woman’s test, the external one where it feels like a certain part of your anatomy gets sat on by a Mack truck, repeatedly, and then a week after that, I got a letter.

So much for the celebration that I didn’t have to do that for another whole year.

Long story short, I had to go back. Didn’t hurt as much, guess I was still numb, but the good news is that it was NOTHING. Whew. Won’t lie, I was a little nervous. Last time this happened, it progressed to a needle biopsy. Ugh.

I’ve also had three book events in the last couple weeks, and the kid got his license—and the driving bug bit him pretty hard right after that, so I’m sure my blood pressure has gone up a wee bit. The hubby had a doc appointment today too, and he SAYS he’s fine. Of course, he didn’t mention the bad cough he’s had lately, because, after all, HE WASN’T COUGHING IN THE DOC’S OFFICE.

Right? Sigh.

Oh, and we had my husband’s retirement party! Finally, it’s official! And in case you’re wondering, I got him a pair of overalls…

Okay, then, on to the stuff that’s really important, the reason you’re here: the farm.

We’re still playing with the new toys, and we spent eight hours last weekend cutting, hauling, and burning brush. We drove home, and the next day I went back to take my mom and stepmom out to see the place. I think they both want to come live there . . . that could be problematic . . . hmmm.

The bathroom got a new ceiling fan, because the old one looked pretty bad compared to the new ones in the kitchen and living rooms; and we did get the new light fixtures for the bath and kitchen, but they’re still in boxes until—

This weekend we’ll be pulling out the bathroom vanity and mirror and adding new ones, plus a linen cabinet. Naturally, we were both thinking after that the shower would look pretty crappy, so we’re still thinking on how to remedy that . . .

The really exciting news is that we ordered the kitchen! And it will all be here—December first.

😦

But that’s okay. We still have to pull out the old one, and THAT will be a project. Yikes. But I’d bet we’re among the very few who ordered a gun cabinet for the kitchen, amiright?

The new appliances are coming a couple weeks before that, along with the tile for the floors. I think I’m getting tired just thinking about it all . . .

Good grief. Are women so damn delicate that they are in need of “women’s healthcare” on a constant basis? For myself, I go once a year for the top and once a year for the bottom, to put it in simple terms.

Back in the days of children, of course I’d go for prenatal care, and yes, I’ve had a scare or three when I needed biopsies and a couple additional visits.

Fortunately, nothing came of those biopsies and yes, I always had a car to go where I needed—which was usually no further than 45 minutes away.

But.

Supporters of Planned Parenthood seem to imply that, if there were no PP clinics, ALL WOMEN must walk for days to find a doctor or clinic, and even then they couldn’t afford a visit, and they MUST DO THIS EVERY SINGLE MONTH.

I will not believe that a woman cannot find one single person who could take her to a doctor in her own town or within an hour’s drive.

I certainly will not believe that, in these days of mandated health insurance, that a woman can’t afford to see a doctor—particularly when there is no charge for a Pap smear and annual checkup, including a mammogram. Even so, I’ve been there—with no insurance; you make payments, you get a cash discount, you do what you have to in order to take care of yourself.

Birth control costs money, yes. But in spite of popular belief, having sex isn’t a human right. It’s like going out to a club: if you can afford to, great, have fun. If you can’t, you stay home.

On the other hand, most insurance now covers birth control.

So what’s the argument? Why do we “need” Planned Parenthood?

We do not.

We especially do not need something that was begun with the idea of limiting the births of black babies; we do not need something that takes federal funding to operate, yet goes against the faith and morals of at least half the population.

We do not need to harvest “parts” of humans.

I can imagine the outcry if, let’s say, we had an entity called Planned Puppyhood. They would offer services like distemper and rabies shots at reduced cost, but they’d also euthanize puppies by pulling them apart and selling those parts.

The VERY SAME folks who deem Planned Parenthood a godsend would rise up and burn down those Puppyhood clinics, immediately after rescuing all the puppies.

They’d say the government shouldn’t finance the killing of puppies.

But right now they say, oh, humans. Meh.

You know why, right? Because they don’t believe a fetus is a baby. They consider them unwanted clumps of cells. Inconveniences.

Such utter bullshit.

Besides, they contend that those who oppose abortion only want to preserve the lives of the unborn and don’t care about children in need.

Of course we care about those children after birth—but we also believe that their parents should bear the burden of their needs as well. Not “only,” but “also.” There are umpteen social programs for folks who need help—but they weren’t intended to be a lifestyle, just assistance.

I’ve used that assistance, a couple of times, for six months or so at a stretch. It was assistance, not continuous, not forever, not generational.

Oh, I know some of you will disagree with me. That’s okay. I probably can’t change your mind, but I sure wish I could convince you to think about that Planned Puppyhood and how you’d feel about it.