I'm glad Buzzard straightened you out Ruthie! LOL Nita got here yesterday afternoon and we headed out to DS and DIL's house where we had an Easter dinner and watched the twins hunt for eggs. They were just starting to shoot skeet when we decided we better hit the road and come home. :o) We've been running around all day today. The twins are coming over in a little while so I can watch them while DIL goes to a meeting. Then Nita and I will go find some place to have dinner. I still haven't packed, so guess I'll fit that in sometime today. We are leaving on our road trip in the morning. We both have our laptops so we will be staying in touch and hopefully uploading some pictures along the way.

I see my General Practitioner when I feel like it - sometimes make an appointment, sometimes not. Need see him only for medicals - thank God. I hear that if I get more than one a year, I may have to pay for at least part of the additional visit. As it is - no charge. My family has history of prostate trouble, so I might be able to avoid that extra cost. He has sent me for a couple of prostate tests - first cost $20., second (for more extensive checking) cost $40. I had an MRI test for that about three years ago - think it cost me something, though was not major. In the ordinary course of things, I'd probably have had to wait for a period, so I guess he called it emergency. When I see him for illnesses, no charge - to me. If I need to visit a specialist, I understand that quite often it entails a substantial waiting period. No charge if I make such visits for necessary service (e.g. if I want cosmetic plastic surgery, to pull my face up an inch or two, I must pay for that myself). No charge when I visit hospitals. If I want semi-private or private room, there's a surcharge that I must pay, but ward service for most illnesses is at no cost. Drugs while in hospital are free - but not after I leave. But, being over 65, I get a break on drug costs. I live in Canada. There is a major effort going on at the moment to open our doors to U.S. style private medical system - which many of us are trying to forestall. We hear that major medical costs are the primary reason for personal bankruptcies in the "good old U.S.A.". Good wishes for health of mind, body, spirit - and pocketbook - to all of you seniors. joyful guy/Ed P.S. U.S.ers in nearby states are reputed to come to Canada by the busload to fill their prescriptions - and a major drug company is threatening to cut off supplies to some of the Canadian pharmacies who make them available on a major basis (largely via internet) to U.S.ers. EB

"...were prepared to hit for the basement, but then the siren quit blowing." WHOA, people! I hope everyone understands that the sirens only sound for a certain period of time. When they stop sounding DOES NOT mean the danger is passed. Sirens have been known to stop sounding because of power surges and tornadoes taking out the sirens. Do not think that no siren means no danger. That is not true at all. I was so shocked when I saw the confusion in Hugo (a small community recently wiped out by tornado action) when people thought that when sirens stopped that danger was over. Some even thought it was an "all clear" siren! Wow. Sirens also are not intended to be heard inside buildings. Invest in a good NOAA weather alerting radio. I saw one lady on the news being interviewed tonight. Her daughter was affected by the Hugo storm and bought her mother a weather alerting radio. The mother said the weather was nice but the radio sounded the alert and because of the Hugo incident she decided to pay attention and went to the basement. She heard the tornado noise and attributes her life to her daughter's caring. Probably a good time to clear up other misconceptions. They do not sound "all clear" signals anymore, and haven't for decades. This year has been a record year for tornadoes in Minnesota. Let's clear up the misconceptions so people don't get injured. Weather is an awesome thing. I'm a weather fan and have been all my life. I track storms and do (amateur) forecasting. But I respect the power of Mother Nature, and keep informed on weather conditions. Another thing to watch out for that is often overlooked is lightning. BTW, my fellow Minnesotans, June and July are the prime two months for tornados and we've started out the season with a bang. Stay safe, stay alert. Put together a kit with flashlights, clothing, etc and keep a comfy spot in the basement. Don't forget animals' needs!

I'd really love to come. My car isn't that dependable. While it hasn't given me any problems, I'm planning on trading it in, hopefully this fall. So I haven't put new tires on it, and the a/c isn't working. I'd love to see everyone too. I've hinted to Mom about it, and where it is, (she has a nephew in Minneapolis she could visit too)but seems she didn't get the hint. That, and the guy finally gave me a quote on the pad I'm having poured for my trailer. While it's cheaper than what I'd thought it'd be, I better save the extra that I'd use for gas. I was hoping someone in my area would go, and we could split the gas. Take lots of pictures, and post them please. Leslie