No help from Humana rep

A Humana representative (doctor?) visited me Monday morning.  The appointment was at 1 p.m. but he called early that morning and said he would be by in 15 minutes.

When I was called and told a doctor would visit me, I looked forward to getting answers on why I am short of breath, why my back tightens and doesn't allow me to stand or walk,why my blood pressure is low,  and other medical problems. That did not happen.  He had a list of questions  and ran through them quickly.  I asked him the purpose of his visit and he said it was to clean up files, eliminating old data. No help for me.

Gardens supply vegetables in summer

We are in the middle of summer and typically it is hot and dry, but these first days of July are not as hot as this time last year.  Jen and I were in Branson this time a year ago and had to suffer though l00 degree weather every day.  I came close to passing out several times as the heat caused my blood pressure to drop.

One thing about this summer I really miss is gathering fruits and vegetables from the garden.  While the summer weather is unpleasant, the garden rewards you for all the work done earlier.  That is, if you have a garden, which I was unable to manage this year.

My dad was born in July and always claimed this to be the best month of the year, with not only a wide variety of vegetables but plenty of water melons, cantaloupes and figs. While many people consider cantaloupe a breakfast fruit, we ate them with our peas.

Thoughts on a Sunday

Attended Sunday School (I taught the lesson) and church this morning after missing two Sundays with a broken ankle.  Heard AnnaKate Rawles, new associate pastor, preach.  It was a short sermon because of communion, but I believe she will do fine.

While on the subject of sermons by young girls, Jessica will be preaching at the Methodist Church in Birmingham, Mi., July 28. Jen (and maybe I) will travel there to support her.  Jessica is strongly supported by members of Christ UMC, many who feel very close to her because they worked on missions together. The church membership took up an offering to help her financially.  The Vision Class made a special donation for which Jessica sent the following note of thanks:

     Dear Vision Sunday Class, Thank you for the card and money.  It has truly been a blessing having all of you in my life.  You have loved me, cared for me, and supported me throughout my education, and have now continued it as I move forward on the path to ordained ministry.  I appreciate it more than I can say. Thank you again,
Jessica

Happy July Fourth, everyone

Take time to re-read the Declaration of Independence as adopted July fourth, 1776.  It is a fairly long read, but I promise it will inspire you.  We need high-minded, courageous leaders today.

"" would have borrowed the money from my wife."

Thinking of all the forms I had to complete to see the doctor Monday, I remember when there was a time that this was not necessary. Those simpler times will not return.

I remember a friend of mind going to the bank to borrow some money.  Fred, a long-time good friend of mind but a generation older, was a contractor in all kinds of construction.  Most small town banks were friendly and informal, but the Homer National Bank was very formal.  Fred walked in and  asked for a loan.  He was seated and quizzed,  Fred losing his patience more and more.

Finally Fred jumped up and headed for the door, saying, "If I wanted to answer all those questions, I would have borrowed the money from my wife."

Later the bank official decided he had enough information, called Fred back, and approved the loan.

Anniversary of Gettysburgh being observed

Observance of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg is being re-enacted near the site in Pennsylvania.  Today is the second of the three days of the battle, highlighted by Pickett's Charge.

 General Robert E. Lee decided that the South could not win  the war fighting only defensively.  He wanted the North to feel the effects of a war.  The North could have ended the war at anytime since it was the aggressor and had invaded the South.

My five sisters, two brothers and I have the unusual distinction of having a grandfather and a great grandfather fighting for the Confederacy.  Little is known of our great grandfather's experience, but our grandfather T. T. Lowe fought in a number of battles, including Chickamauga (where he was wounded) Atlanta, Nashville, and Bentonville.  I have visited only one of those sites --Bentonville  in North Carolina.

No ballroom dancing for me

Spending 90 minutes in a doctor's waiting room is not most people's idea of fun -- and that includes me -- but the last 30 minutes was enjoyable as I visited with a 92-year-old World War II veteran and his young friend, only 81. We talked about some of the changes we have seen, especially in technology.  They described the first televisions that they had seen, including a nine-inch black and white.  Like me, they never expected to use a computer but now find it a source of information on any and every thing.

I was there to have the doctor look at my broken foot.   The first 30 minutes I spent filling our forms, being called back three times to fill in a form or question I had missed.  When my name was finally called, the affair went quickly, first assembling the information I had provided on the forms and adding to it. Then about nine X-rays in various positions of the foot and the ankle were taken .

The visit with the doctor lasted only a few minutes, long enough for him to tell me to take care and to come back immediately if problems develop.  Otherwise, I will return in three weeks.