Health Care Debacle Diffused--for now

Those of you who know me from Street Prophets are somewhat aware of the precariousness of the health care situation here at Casa Fiend. Our Part D is not as easy as the guv'mint says it is, natch. So, we wrestle with insurance every month. The last two months were a terror, leaving us here very strapped, threatening our very ability to stay in our apartment. When meds (my sister's and mine) cost more than we make in a month (all three of us Fiends combined) it gets dicey real damned fast. Lucky for us here, the wonderful friends at Street Prophets are and have been making our survival a Project. Many have been seeing to our grocery needs--since we skipped that in February and had quite a famine going here. This month is better, by far. God/dess bless my dear friends on the Street! I really don't know what we would've done without them.

Point in case. At the beginning of March, I needed 7 medications. The combined cost of these seven--just mine, mind you, not my sister's--was $747.44. Who in the hell can budget for that out of a disability pension? They cost nearly as much as our rent!, the single largest bill I pay on the first. Needless to say, I couldn't get my meds, thus went without...without blood pressure meds (2), mood swing med (1), sleep aid (1), and the meds to deal with rampant 24/7 chronic pain in the 10/10 range.

After a few choice phone calls, some ranting, and cajoling, I finally got the insurance straightened out, and today I picked up the meds I had to neglect on the first--with $0 copay!!! YeeeHaw! Yippeee! WooooHooo! It's about damned time. The pharmacy still had to wrangle with them on the phone, but I got what I paid the premium for: no copay, no deductable.

My problem now is, will it 'stick' for the next trip over there next month??? All I can do is pray and know that God/dess does provide. S/He has gifted me with friends that care and a wolverine temperament--to never give up.

All you Prophets--thank you...a thousand times. I will never forget.

In Love, Light, and Peace,

Q.

Do We Really Need to be 'Saved'?

I was reading an excellent diary on Street Prophets, First Diary: Question about salvation by ScepticTexan tonight. I refrained from commenting feeling my view was not part of what he asked for. From it, I began to wonder, as I've done many times in the past, whether there is a real need for salvation, for 'being saved'?

Saved from what?

I'm a witch, a Wiccan Priestess. I live and walk my beliefs every day. I don't practice evil, or even try it out! ;-) I conscientiously live in a loving manner, giving what I can, helping as much as possible, staying away from violence. I am as ethical as possible in my station in life. I revere nature and do my best to leave a light footprint. I worship God and Goddess in nature, and within myself as well as in others. I'm doing my best.

Then...why do I need saved? From what? In my beliefs God/dess is present in everything I touch and is immanent in my life. S/He does not wish me ill. Why should S/He? Why should God/dess punish me for living as a human, loving as a human, and making mistakes as a human? Mistakes (what some might call sins) are what happens in order to gain wisdom and experience. Without making mistakes, one cannot grow--mentally or spiritually.

And if being human is grounds for needing salvation, I believe that's dead wrong. We were not 'cast out'. We are not 'fallen'. We are not 'depraved'. Using the gifts we are given: intellect, sexuality, imagination, should not indicate we are defective. We are as God/dess made us, Their children, loved and nurtured, created to live, die and be reborn...until we learn all our spirits need to come Home to rejoin with Them forever. Is that salvation--in the classic sense? I don't know. Must think on it some more...

Damn. More questions to think about. Heh heh!

In Love and Light,

Q.

My Cat, My Friend

I'm up late tonight. It's almost 5am. So far, my cat Selene has yet to complain that I'm not in bed. She usually is very quick to tell me I'm 'needed' in 'her' room for undivided attention, but tonight, she must not be feeling needy.

I sometimes wonder what my life would be like without the little fur-ball that sheds drifts of long, black, silky hair on everything, yet gives such unstinting love just because I feed her, clean out her jewel box (cat box for the non-were folk), and make sure she has treats and clean water. Is it that simple? Purrs=adequate attention and care?

When I lie in bed in the dark, and she nestles next to my curled body, I feel there is more to our relationship than mere cat - human slave. She seems to always know when I'm in pain, when sleep is hard coming and when her presence is a balm to my soul. We are connected...almost with a telepathic link...of empathy and caring. Why? Why did she come straight to me for comfort the first day in our Casa? Did she somehow know that I was lonely for a four-foot friend? Did she sense a resonance in me? Were we destined to be together?

All interesting questions. I am a witch. Is that all the answer that's necessary? When I meet her bright yellow-green eyes and she stares back at me purring, I understand. Goddess has gifted me with a sacred friend to help me through the rough patches. I sincerely pray she lives as long as she wants to, in good health.



There she is. Selene Moonshadow. My furry friend.

Blessings,

Q.

Welcome to whoever reads this

Needless to say, yet important: WELCOME, friends. I am Quotefiend, a resident of many places, foremost of which is Street Prophets. I am a progressive, a liberal democrat, and a Wiccan. I make no excuses for my beliefs and political leanings. All were gained through painful life experiences. They are valid for me.

They might also be right for you, if you think about it. Feel free to comment, kvetch, give me your views and we can talk. I humbly ask that there be no proselytizing here. I’m soooo not going to convert to Christianity—or Islam. Get over it. You are welcome to worship as you please...just don’t screw with my right to do the same in my own way.

I do bite.



Q.

While You Gently Rest

While You Gently Rest by Rick Hart

Deepened sun and darken blue,
they turn to hold earthen slumber and you,
and move through the stars while you gently rest,
and day into dream swirls inside.

Breathing slow, and full of sleep,
and with the earth, laden so still and deep,
may peace cover you and love hold you near,
and on colors of your soul you ride.

Just a bit of serene poetry and song to start things out.

Love and light,

Q.