Bidding my time on Disability until they can find out how to control my dizzy spells and what is causing my joint pain is not any fun. They keep this gal poked and prodded at least once to three times per week. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have three health insurance plans.
There are so many people out there without any health/medical insurance coverage or not enough. My husband has only one, it helps pay sixty to eighty percent--but we pay the difference. Except when it comes to his MS IV therapy which is once a month. He takes Tysabri; it's original cost before insurance is $5,124.00 for one treatment for one time per month for the rest of his life as long as it works. His insurance pays $2,120.00 and we must pay the difference.
My husband needs to go on disability but can't due to he will loose his only insurance and we can't survive on my little check of $640.00 per month for nine months while they determine if he's eligible. While determining eligibility the person applying for disability must have ZERO income. I don't know how the government expects people to survive for even a month on no income let alone up to nine months. Oh, of course they will back pay you, after they minus three months for the eligibility waiting time.
But what creditors, mortgage companies, grocery stores, car dealership, utility companies are going to wait up to nine months?..and then there's the chance you will be denied. Nobody waits and Medicaid won't help either until you have gotten your disability status from Medicare. If you are denied you have the right to appeal but that takes even more time. Also, when you get disability you are allowed to apply for SSI, Foodstamps, and State Medical assistance (it's Medicaid where we live). However, you are not entitled to Federal Medicare benefits until you have been on SSD (Social Security Disability) for Two entire years. Then you can finally have your secondary insurance--but in that case Medicare is then your primary and state medical secondary. It can be pretty confusing to those with limited capabilities of understanding. It is very tough to live on your SSD check and find doctors that will accept your state medical card alone (without you having a secondary insurance). And when you do the quality of care I believe is somewhat compromised in the fact that they know that you can't pay it or won't or that the state pays so darn little (which is very true).
My advice: Don't get sick without Medical Insurance or become disabled in America!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
My Physical Therapy Routine Etc:
Lately, most of my time has been spent at the doctors' offices or having physical therapy. I had twelve falls in about a week's time. Eight of those times I ended up falling, with my full weight, unto my Right knee. Needless to say I had to go get a MRI of the knee. It's nothing surgical my doctor says and just adds additional orders to the physical therapy I am already getting. I had started only a month earlier receiving physical therapy for a fall that involved my neck. Because of this I have no idea if the shots that Dr. Hope had given me truly has worked (I'll let you know more in a moment). During Physical Therapy last week my therapist tried a technique that is suppose to hopefully decrease my dizziness of my Menieres. We talked about it for about two weeks so we went ahead and did it. However, the worst part was not the way he pulled me down so fast or twisted my neck making me dizzier. It was that I could not bend over of lie prone for three full days afterwards. No leaning over even more that a three to five percent angle. Well, I blew that the second day, when nobody was here, and I dropped something and bent over to retrieve it. I told him today. He plans on re-doing the technique again this Thursday (July 31st), in the afternoon.
The morning of July 31st I will be seeing Dr. Hope in regards as to whether we should continue the nerve block injections. I have such terrible pain, where I cry so much for the first 48 to 72 hrs. However, it's suppose to get better each new time-- Dr. Hope says it should lessen over time. If I do it we will have to see how often the shots are needed to best benefit my pain management. I only have one big problem with this-------it's not helping my joint pain below the neck/shoulders.
I still have fatigue and joint pain in the early morning and late afternoon each day. I'm also have some intestinal problems which I will blog about later as I have been diagnosed with both fatty liver disease and lactose intolerance these past two months.....I am currently awaiting another status of an additional test.
The morning of July 31st I will be seeing Dr. Hope in regards as to whether we should continue the nerve block injections. I have such terrible pain, where I cry so much for the first 48 to 72 hrs. However, it's suppose to get better each new time-- Dr. Hope says it should lessen over time. If I do it we will have to see how often the shots are needed to best benefit my pain management. I only have one big problem with this-------it's not helping my joint pain below the neck/shoulders.
I still have fatigue and joint pain in the early morning and late afternoon each day. I'm also have some intestinal problems which I will blog about later as I have been diagnosed with both fatty liver disease and lactose intolerance these past two months.....I am currently awaiting another status of an additional test.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Some Books/Ebooks Worth Checking Out:
I find summer a wonderful time to catch up on some reading. I have previewed/read some of these books, therefore I recommend that you check them out for yourself.
THAT SUMMER PLACE
BONE YARD:
IRON COWBOY:
THAT SUMMER PLACE
BONE YARD:
IRON COWBOY:
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Song Lyrics: That's Life
These are some song lyrics I wrote a while back. It's intended for a Country Western song.
That's Life
by Pamel Starr-Welsh
written 8-2-05
VI:
Your truck won't start
Cause the battery's dead
You need to go to Kmart
So you pay your neighbor Ed.
VII:
Your house is broken into
They took your guns
The dog and barbecue
Your day's just begun.
Chorus:
Well, that's life
Problems come and go
In everyday life
Some you fix, some you let go
Because that's life
That's life.
VIII:
The sink is leaking
So you replace the flange
The door is creaking
So you oil the hinge.
VIV:
Your being dogged
By your boss
So you quit your job
With good cause.
Bridge:
Well, that's life
That's life.
VV:
You get mugged
The doctors realize
You're allergic to the drugs
Oh, what a surprise.
Chorus:
Well that's life
Problems come and go
In everyday life
Some you fix, some you let go
Because that's life
That's life.
Tag:
Well, that's life
We live each day
Despite the strife
So go on and say
That's life
That's life...fade.
That's Life
by Pamel Starr-Welsh
written 8-2-05
VI:
Your truck won't start
Cause the battery's dead
You need to go to Kmart
So you pay your neighbor Ed.
VII:
Your house is broken into
They took your guns
The dog and barbecue
Your day's just begun.
Chorus:
Well, that's life
Problems come and go
In everyday life
Some you fix, some you let go
Because that's life
That's life.
VIII:
The sink is leaking
So you replace the flange
The door is creaking
So you oil the hinge.
VIV:
Your being dogged
By your boss
So you quit your job
With good cause.
Bridge:
Well, that's life
That's life.
VV:
You get mugged
The doctors realize
You're allergic to the drugs
Oh, what a surprise.
Chorus:
Well that's life
Problems come and go
In everyday life
Some you fix, some you let go
Because that's life
That's life.
Tag:
Well, that's life
We live each day
Despite the strife
So go on and say
That's life
That's life...fade.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Give All Americans Affordable Health Care!
Hi,
I just signed the petition "Give All Americans Affordable Health Care!". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 20,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.
Give All Americans Affordable Health Care!
Target: U.S. House and Senate
Sponsored by: Divided We Fail
Health care expenses are growing by the day. Premiums have risen 98 percent since 2000, but wages are not keeping up. American families and businesses are struggling to balance quality health care with financial demands. Millions of Americans are just one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.
In a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 29 percent of respondents indicated that health care was the most important problem for Congress and the president to address - more than terrorism, the economy, immigration and taxes. Congress must put making quality health care affordable for all Americans a top priority.
Click Here to Sign Petition Letter
I just signed the petition "Give All Americans Affordable Health Care!". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 20,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.
Give All Americans Affordable Health Care!
Target: U.S. House and Senate
Sponsored by: Divided We Fail
Health care expenses are growing by the day. Premiums have risen 98 percent since 2000, but wages are not keeping up. American families and businesses are struggling to balance quality health care with financial demands. Millions of Americans are just one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.
In a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 29 percent of respondents indicated that health care was the most important problem for Congress and the president to address - more than terrorism, the economy, immigration and taxes. Congress must put making quality health care affordable for all Americans a top priority.
Click Here to Sign Petition Letter
Friday, July 18, 2008
Help Protect Our Marine Ecosystem:
Support Protection Plan for Stellwagen Marine Ecosystem
Target: Superintendent Craig MacDonald, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Sponsored by: Ocean River Institute
Located off the coast of Massachusetts, the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is home to a marvelous diversity of marine life, including whales, sea turtles, fish, birds and cold water coral. But the Stellwagen is under assault from multiple fronts: habitat damage from trawling and draggers, ship collisions, depletion of fish, pollution and global warming, just to name a few.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has proposed a Stellwagen Bank Management Plan. The proposal lays the foundation for restoring and protecting the sanctuary's ecosystem. It recommends actions that should be taken now, and some that should be considered in the near future, for this special place.
The Sanctuary Superintendent is accepting open comments on the proposal until August 4. The marine life in the area need your help! Add your support for the proposal during the open comment period.
Click Here To Sign Petition and Add Your Comments
Target: Superintendent Craig MacDonald, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Sponsored by: Ocean River Institute
Located off the coast of Massachusetts, the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is home to a marvelous diversity of marine life, including whales, sea turtles, fish, birds and cold water coral. But the Stellwagen is under assault from multiple fronts: habitat damage from trawling and draggers, ship collisions, depletion of fish, pollution and global warming, just to name a few.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has proposed a Stellwagen Bank Management Plan. The proposal lays the foundation for restoring and protecting the sanctuary's ecosystem. It recommends actions that should be taken now, and some that should be considered in the near future, for this special place.
The Sanctuary Superintendent is accepting open comments on the proposal until August 4. The marine life in the area need your help! Add your support for the proposal during the open comment period.
Click Here To Sign Petition and Add Your Comments
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Help Maintain Tranquility At Lionhead:
Hi,
I need your help.
A rugged land of sparkling lakes, 10,000-foot peaks and
world-class wildlife habitat, Montana's stunning Lionhead
Recommended Wilderness, just west of Yellowstone National Park,
is a dazzling area of tranquility. The area is so rugged that
the Forest Service proposed that it be off limits to all
mechanized travel, including mountain bikes.
But the proposal to protect the rugged Lionhead area is in
danger.
That's why Lionhead needs your help before July 18. Tell the
Forest Service to do the right thing.
Click here to sign petition
I need your help.
A rugged land of sparkling lakes, 10,000-foot peaks and
world-class wildlife habitat, Montana's stunning Lionhead
Recommended Wilderness, just west of Yellowstone National Park,
is a dazzling area of tranquility. The area is so rugged that
the Forest Service proposed that it be off limits to all
mechanized travel, including mountain bikes.
But the proposal to protect the rugged Lionhead area is in
danger.
That's why Lionhead needs your help before July 18. Tell the
Forest Service to do the right thing.
Click here to sign petition
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Poet's Corner: The Rainbow
The Rainbow
God's covenant for you and me,
Is His own wonderful design,
The rainbow, a colorful array,
Of a continuous arc of lives,
A promise, set in the sky,
To bring to our minds,
That we will never again see,
Like in Moses' time,
The land covered by sea,
The rainbow's our sign,
Of God's covenant for eternity.
God's covenant for you and me,
Is His own wonderful design,
The rainbow, a colorful array,
Of a continuous arc of lives,
A promise, set in the sky,
To bring to our minds,
That we will never again see,
Like in Moses' time,
The land covered by sea,
The rainbow's our sign,
Of God's covenant for eternity.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Banana Berry Caribbean Twist Smoothie:
I made this smoothie as a fluke. I had the ingredients for one of the ones in the book but also wanted it to be more icy since it is so hot. Therefore, I made a few changes to it and voila I got a fabulous tasting smoothie out of it.
Banana Berry Caribbean Twist
1/2 cup soy milk
2 ice cubes
1 kiwi; peeled & diced
1/2 papaya; peeled and diced
12-14 frozen blackberries
1/2 banana; peeled and diced
Place all ingredients into blender. Blend 45 seconds on low. Increase speed to medium; blend 30 seconds. Increase speed to high then puree for another 30-45 seconds until ice cubes & frozen fruit gone and smoothie is smooth and lump free.
Enjoy!
Banana Berry Caribbean Twist
1/2 cup soy milk
2 ice cubes
1 kiwi; peeled & diced
1/2 papaya; peeled and diced
12-14 frozen blackberries
1/2 banana; peeled and diced
Place all ingredients into blender. Blend 45 seconds on low. Increase speed to medium; blend 30 seconds. Increase speed to high then puree for another 30-45 seconds until ice cubes & frozen fruit gone and smoothie is smooth and lump free.
Enjoy!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Smoothies Bible: review
The Smoothies Bible written by Pat Crocker is an excellent book about smoothies. It has a great variety of smoothies. They vary from soy based, juice based, frozen yogurt or ice cream based. The book includes smoothies that range from fruit and vegetable to those including fiber additives such as grains and nuts.
It also has smoothies and information for the following medical/health conditions: Aids/Hiv, Aging, Allergies, Alopecia, Alzheimer's/Dementia, Anemia, Anxiety, Arthritis, ADD/ADHD, Breastfeeding, Bronchitis, Cancer Prevention, Candida, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Common Cold, Constipation, Depression, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Diverticular Disease, Endrometriosis, Eye Problems (Cataracts, Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration), Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Flatulence, Gallstones, Gout, Hangover, Headaches (non-migraine), Heart Problems (High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular disease, Heart Failure & Stroke), Heartburn, Herpes Simplex (cold sores and genital herpes), Hypoglycemia, Immune Deficiency, Impotence, Indigestion, Infertility (male and female), Influenza, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Kidney Stones, Laryngitis, Liver Problems, Low Libido, Lupus, Menopause, Menstrual disorders, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Overweight, Parkinson's, Peptic Ulcers, Pregnancy, Prostate Enlargement Benign, Sinusitis, Skin Conditions (Acne, Dry skin, Psoriasis & Rosacea, Quit Smoking, Urinary Tract Infection, Uterine Fibroids, Varicose Veins & Hemorrhoids, & Water Retention.
This book by no means replaces your doctor's advice. The smoothies help you better your health by acknowledging the foods that are good for you to consume for your particular disorder. It also tells you which foods can aggravate it so you can eliminate or avoid them in your diet.
The smoothies in this book range from simple thin based ones to thick creamy or icy ones that are nice and cool. I have enjoyed making several smoothies so far from this book and they all taste great.
I have also changed one or two items in some of the smoothies for a different taste or texture. Like in the soy based ones they are thin unless you reduce the soy milk to half cup (instead of three quarter cup) and add 2 ice cubes and add some frozen fruit. I learned this technique by trying several of the smoothies in this book. I recommend the book just for the great smoothies. If you want to use it for one of the disorders go ahead. You will learn what foods may disagree with your disorder so you can eat better to control it.
Pat Crocker put a lot of information in this book and went to a lot of trouble to research the disorders and what foods are compatible. I believe this is a very good book to have in your recipe book collection, especially if you are wanting to drink smoothies.
It also has smoothies and information for the following medical/health conditions: Aids/Hiv, Aging, Allergies, Alopecia, Alzheimer's/Dementia, Anemia, Anxiety, Arthritis, ADD/ADHD, Breastfeeding, Bronchitis, Cancer Prevention, Candida, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Common Cold, Constipation, Depression, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Diverticular Disease, Endrometriosis, Eye Problems (Cataracts, Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration), Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Flatulence, Gallstones, Gout, Hangover, Headaches (non-migraine), Heart Problems (High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular disease, Heart Failure & Stroke), Heartburn, Herpes Simplex (cold sores and genital herpes), Hypoglycemia, Immune Deficiency, Impotence, Indigestion, Infertility (male and female), Influenza, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Kidney Stones, Laryngitis, Liver Problems, Low Libido, Lupus, Menopause, Menstrual disorders, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Overweight, Parkinson's, Peptic Ulcers, Pregnancy, Prostate Enlargement Benign, Sinusitis, Skin Conditions (Acne, Dry skin, Psoriasis & Rosacea, Quit Smoking, Urinary Tract Infection, Uterine Fibroids, Varicose Veins & Hemorrhoids, & Water Retention.
This book by no means replaces your doctor's advice. The smoothies help you better your health by acknowledging the foods that are good for you to consume for your particular disorder. It also tells you which foods can aggravate it so you can eliminate or avoid them in your diet.
The smoothies in this book range from simple thin based ones to thick creamy or icy ones that are nice and cool. I have enjoyed making several smoothies so far from this book and they all taste great.
I have also changed one or two items in some of the smoothies for a different taste or texture. Like in the soy based ones they are thin unless you reduce the soy milk to half cup (instead of three quarter cup) and add 2 ice cubes and add some frozen fruit. I learned this technique by trying several of the smoothies in this book. I recommend the book just for the great smoothies. If you want to use it for one of the disorders go ahead. You will learn what foods may disagree with your disorder so you can eat better to control it.
Pat Crocker put a lot of information in this book and went to a lot of trouble to research the disorders and what foods are compatible. I believe this is a very good book to have in your recipe book collection, especially if you are wanting to drink smoothies.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Update on Nerve Block/Trigger Point Injections:
Well, I would generally say it worked like a charm. However, the trigger point injection didn't seem to work so well. That kink in my neck only got worse. So bad that my cervical neck bones were in so much pain. Also, my entire right side of my neck, where the trigger point injection went, was swollen and very painful. I went to the Emergency Room thinking I had an infection or something like that going on. They made me comfortable with pain and anti-inflammatory medications then told me I must now do physical therapy to help recover.
As far as the Nerve Block injection I would say it has made about a sixty to seventy percent decrease in my neck pain. However, it hasn't done anything for the rest of the muscle pains in the other parts of my body. The doctor told me it wouldn't though. Therefore, the doctors still have no clue as to what I have yet.
As far as the Nerve Block injection I would say it has made about a sixty to seventy percent decrease in my neck pain. However, it hasn't done anything for the rest of the muscle pains in the other parts of my body. The doctor told me it wouldn't though. Therefore, the doctors still have no clue as to what I have yet.
Short Story: Destination Freedom
She watched the tall man with the black beard and big black stovepipe hat. He wore a black suit and stood very straight. He was the President her grand-daddy told her. Her daddy wasn’t here today because he had gone to fight the war. He never came back. Her grand-daddy said that her daddy was a hero who helped win the war. Still she wanted her daddy. Also, he was nice to everyone including the colored folks. That’s why daddy went to fight the war. He believed in this man here and the things he said.
The President had a deep voice "that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
"Ireland serves neither King nor Kaiser. We need to fight for our own freedom. They are recruiting women to fight alongside the men. We can carry pistols and dispatches for our countrymen. Who will go with me?" The other five women in the small room looked about and three looked to the floor.
One with red pigtails of twenty years jumped to her feet "I’ll go with you Helena" she declared "I believe in freedom for our people." "Me too." said the fifth woman, though not as enthusiastically.
Sitting beside her new husband she tugged at her white gloves anxiously. She had not enough time to be prepared for attending the Presidential State of the Union Address. He should have given me more notice she mused as she smoothed out her dress. She felt a bit slighted that their honeymoon had been cut short for this.
She returned her attention to President Roosevelt and his speech about the Four Freedoms. "The fourth is freedom from the fear-which, translated into world terms, means a world wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-anywhere in the world."
The attic was cramped with about a dozen of them. Here they hid like animals trying to survive. Outside they heard planes drone above them. In the deepest recesses of the night they would hear the sirens braying loudly warning of incoming bombers on their way. Then they’d feel the ground shake as bombs fell far away. When their ears would literally pop from the shrills they knew they were nearby. Then the house, whose attic they hid in, would shake. As did their bones and teeth from fear and the cold, not just from the bomb’s aftermath. What’s that now? God no! Hands grabbing at everyone, yanking them from the attic. "No! Let go! Ow!"
"Run!" a woman’s voice shouted.
"..that freedom can be the future of every nation." Click.
"Hey Steve, I was watching that."
"Bush is full of shit." I don’t want him on my t.v. If you want to watch him go somewhere else."
"Fine!" She grabbed her dark woolen coat and red scarf and bundled herself up. Grabbed her purse and keys, slamming the door behind her. Walking the half block in the chilly November air, tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Opening the pub door she was greeted by the odor of cigarette smoke.
"A Bud" she told the bartender as she sat upon the stool and watched the Presidential Address continue. She slid him a couple of one dollar bills before he could say a word. "The advance of freedom is the calling of our time; it is the calling of our country. From the Fourteen Points to the Four Freedoms, to the Speech at Westminster, America has put our power at the service of principle." "Another?" the bartender asked as she guzzled the Bud down. She nodded and pushed a few more singles out for him as he placed another in front of her.
She turned her attention back to the t.v."...we believe that freedom -- the freedom we prize -- is not for us alone, it is the right and the capacity of all mankind. (Applause.) Working for the spread of freedom can be hard. Yet, America has accomplished hard tasks before. Our nation is strong; we're strong of heart. And we're not alone. Freedom is finding allies in every country; freedom finds allies in every culture. And as we meet the terror and violence of the world, we can be certain the author of freedom is not indifferent to the fate of freedom."
She felt something warm and sticky upon her cheek. She wiped at it with her sleeve. Finding it to be blood. Smoke stung at her eyes. Someone grabbed her arm and helped her to her feet. She looked back and saw the Paratrooper. Using his ray gun he pointed to the right. Above the din she heard him shout "Run to-"
"Free---dom!" Tess turned looking around cautiously into the graying dimness of the stark room. Did someone say the word or had the word crept through her own mind? No, she couldn't allow it. He would see her thoughts. He always could tell. She wasn't good at hiding anything from him. That's why he could control her so well. She placed her hands over her ears and slid her back down the wall. Dropping to the cold concrete floor. Tears trickled down her face. No! She mustn't! No tears, no emotion. He played on all that. He used it all against her. No more, no more. She slumped over in total exhaustion and slept.
"I may have found the common thread in her time travels lately, Sir."
"Well, Lieutenant Xin What is it? Don’t keep me waiting. You know what happens to men who do!"
"Sorry Sir. I believe that they all have to do with Freedom."
"Freedom? Freedom? What are you trying to tell me Lieutenant?"
"Sir, Freedom means the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints. It also means immunity from an obligation or duty."
"Where would she get this idea about Freedom and why? She’s a time-traveler!" Lord Cappalla slammed his fist into the table’s console and stormed out. The silver doors slid open then shut upon his exit.
Lieutenant Xin looked around the table at Corporal Pierre and 2nd Lieutenant Venne. "We need to destroy her. She is no longer of any use."
"Excuse me Sir. But wouldn’t it be easier to just send her off without a retrieval to someplace?" asked Corporal Pierre.
"Excellent idea Corporal. Do it, but don’t forget to remove her chip first."
The Corporal and 2nd Lieutenant stood gave nods toward Lieutenant Xin then left for their assignment. "Do we remove the chip tonight or in the morning then?" asked Venne
"Let’s wait till morning. She’s asleep now anyways." replied Pierre.
"Dinner then at my place?" smiled Venne
"Not till this is over." answered Pierre
"Oh, right." Venne replied flatly not showing her dejection.
The next morning, in the lab, Pierre and Venne oversaw as Dr. Zaghn removed the chip from Tesszalda.
"She’s ready for deportation" the Dr. stated as he went about closing the incision with the laser. "She’ll sleep for another two hours. So you have time now if you wish to finish with the business." He turned back to putting away his instruments.
Pierre and Venne transported Tesszalda from the lab in a portable cubicle to the transport room.
"Where to?" Venne asked Pierre.
"Who cares. Just turn the dial and zap her out into space somewhere. Then she’s no longer any of our worries." He replied brusquely.
"As you wish." Venne did as instructed.
Whirl.....whoooosh.
"Grandma, what year was it? How did they fall into the Ohio River?"
"Henry, my turn. My turn Grandma. What did President Lincoln say again? That’s my favorite part. What did he say about your book when he met you? Please tell it again. Please. Oh pleeeze" Mary pleaded.
"One at a time, my dears" she clucked at her two grand-children. Henry, it was the year Nineteen-hundred-and-thirty-eight Eliza fell into the Ohio River because it cracked beneath them. The water drenched her and the baby in it’s icy fingers. Mary dear, don’t you ever tire of hearing that story?" She looked upon the child’s black pigtails swaying back and forth as she shook her head no.
Sighing she continued. "It was around the beginning of the Civil War when I met President Abraham Lincoln. He was a big figure of a man, tall and lean with a big black stovepipe hat. My son Charles claimed that President Lincoln looked down at me with his coal nugget eyes and said, "so this is the lady who started the great war!" I don't recall the incident,but Charles was with me. If it was said, it is a terrible accusation to put on anyone. True, my book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, did stir up the hornet's nest, but the seeds of unrest were planted and a nation had been the harvest before it had been written."
"Grandma, one more question. What do you think was the secret password for the Underground Railroad?" asked Mary.
"It was a secret. It also changed frequently." Harriet looked upon her two grandchildren with loving pride. "I will tell you though that those who worked the Underground Railroad had a belief. Actually two words that summed up what they wanted for all people and that’s---destination, freedom."
The President had a deep voice "that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
"Ireland serves neither King nor Kaiser. We need to fight for our own freedom. They are recruiting women to fight alongside the men. We can carry pistols and dispatches for our countrymen. Who will go with me?" The other five women in the small room looked about and three looked to the floor.
One with red pigtails of twenty years jumped to her feet "I’ll go with you Helena" she declared "I believe in freedom for our people." "Me too." said the fifth woman, though not as enthusiastically.
Sitting beside her new husband she tugged at her white gloves anxiously. She had not enough time to be prepared for attending the Presidential State of the Union Address. He should have given me more notice she mused as she smoothed out her dress. She felt a bit slighted that their honeymoon had been cut short for this.
She returned her attention to President Roosevelt and his speech about the Four Freedoms. "The fourth is freedom from the fear-which, translated into world terms, means a world wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-anywhere in the world."
The attic was cramped with about a dozen of them. Here they hid like animals trying to survive. Outside they heard planes drone above them. In the deepest recesses of the night they would hear the sirens braying loudly warning of incoming bombers on their way. Then they’d feel the ground shake as bombs fell far away. When their ears would literally pop from the shrills they knew they were nearby. Then the house, whose attic they hid in, would shake. As did their bones and teeth from fear and the cold, not just from the bomb’s aftermath. What’s that now? God no! Hands grabbing at everyone, yanking them from the attic. "No! Let go! Ow!"
"Run!" a woman’s voice shouted.
"..that freedom can be the future of every nation." Click.
"Hey Steve, I was watching that."
"Bush is full of shit." I don’t want him on my t.v. If you want to watch him go somewhere else."
"Fine!" She grabbed her dark woolen coat and red scarf and bundled herself up. Grabbed her purse and keys, slamming the door behind her. Walking the half block in the chilly November air, tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Opening the pub door she was greeted by the odor of cigarette smoke.
"A Bud" she told the bartender as she sat upon the stool and watched the Presidential Address continue. She slid him a couple of one dollar bills before he could say a word. "The advance of freedom is the calling of our time; it is the calling of our country. From the Fourteen Points to the Four Freedoms, to the Speech at Westminster, America has put our power at the service of principle." "Another?" the bartender asked as she guzzled the Bud down. She nodded and pushed a few more singles out for him as he placed another in front of her.
She turned her attention back to the t.v."...we believe that freedom -- the freedom we prize -- is not for us alone, it is the right and the capacity of all mankind. (Applause.) Working for the spread of freedom can be hard. Yet, America has accomplished hard tasks before. Our nation is strong; we're strong of heart. And we're not alone. Freedom is finding allies in every country; freedom finds allies in every culture. And as we meet the terror and violence of the world, we can be certain the author of freedom is not indifferent to the fate of freedom."
She felt something warm and sticky upon her cheek. She wiped at it with her sleeve. Finding it to be blood. Smoke stung at her eyes. Someone grabbed her arm and helped her to her feet. She looked back and saw the Paratrooper. Using his ray gun he pointed to the right. Above the din she heard him shout "Run to-"
"Free---dom!" Tess turned looking around cautiously into the graying dimness of the stark room. Did someone say the word or had the word crept through her own mind? No, she couldn't allow it. He would see her thoughts. He always could tell. She wasn't good at hiding anything from him. That's why he could control her so well. She placed her hands over her ears and slid her back down the wall. Dropping to the cold concrete floor. Tears trickled down her face. No! She mustn't! No tears, no emotion. He played on all that. He used it all against her. No more, no more. She slumped over in total exhaustion and slept.
"I may have found the common thread in her time travels lately, Sir."
"Well, Lieutenant Xin What is it? Don’t keep me waiting. You know what happens to men who do!"
"Sorry Sir. I believe that they all have to do with Freedom."
"Freedom? Freedom? What are you trying to tell me Lieutenant?"
"Sir, Freedom means the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints. It also means immunity from an obligation or duty."
"Where would she get this idea about Freedom and why? She’s a time-traveler!" Lord Cappalla slammed his fist into the table’s console and stormed out. The silver doors slid open then shut upon his exit.
Lieutenant Xin looked around the table at Corporal Pierre and 2nd Lieutenant Venne. "We need to destroy her. She is no longer of any use."
"Excuse me Sir. But wouldn’t it be easier to just send her off without a retrieval to someplace?" asked Corporal Pierre.
"Excellent idea Corporal. Do it, but don’t forget to remove her chip first."
The Corporal and 2nd Lieutenant stood gave nods toward Lieutenant Xin then left for their assignment. "Do we remove the chip tonight or in the morning then?" asked Venne
"Let’s wait till morning. She’s asleep now anyways." replied Pierre.
"Dinner then at my place?" smiled Venne
"Not till this is over." answered Pierre
"Oh, right." Venne replied flatly not showing her dejection.
The next morning, in the lab, Pierre and Venne oversaw as Dr. Zaghn removed the chip from Tesszalda.
"She’s ready for deportation" the Dr. stated as he went about closing the incision with the laser. "She’ll sleep for another two hours. So you have time now if you wish to finish with the business." He turned back to putting away his instruments.
Pierre and Venne transported Tesszalda from the lab in a portable cubicle to the transport room.
"Where to?" Venne asked Pierre.
"Who cares. Just turn the dial and zap her out into space somewhere. Then she’s no longer any of our worries." He replied brusquely.
"As you wish." Venne did as instructed.
Whirl.....whoooosh.
"Grandma, what year was it? How did they fall into the Ohio River?"
"Henry, my turn. My turn Grandma. What did President Lincoln say again? That’s my favorite part. What did he say about your book when he met you? Please tell it again. Please. Oh pleeeze" Mary pleaded.
"One at a time, my dears" she clucked at her two grand-children. Henry, it was the year Nineteen-hundred-and-thirty-eight Eliza fell into the Ohio River because it cracked beneath them. The water drenched her and the baby in it’s icy fingers. Mary dear, don’t you ever tire of hearing that story?" She looked upon the child’s black pigtails swaying back and forth as she shook her head no.
Sighing she continued. "It was around the beginning of the Civil War when I met President Abraham Lincoln. He was a big figure of a man, tall and lean with a big black stovepipe hat. My son Charles claimed that President Lincoln looked down at me with his coal nugget eyes and said, "so this is the lady who started the great war!" I don't recall the incident,but Charles was with me. If it was said, it is a terrible accusation to put on anyone. True, my book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, did stir up the hornet's nest, but the seeds of unrest were planted and a nation had been the harvest before it had been written."
"Grandma, one more question. What do you think was the secret password for the Underground Railroad?" asked Mary.
"It was a secret. It also changed frequently." Harriet looked upon her two grandchildren with loving pride. "I will tell you though that those who worked the Underground Railroad had a belief. Actually two words that summed up what they wanted for all people and that’s---destination, freedom."
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