Now that we are in 2013 and many of the Affordable Health Care Act provisions and welfare reform are in place what do you think? Do you think the new laws are making it easier for people to get health care or more difficult? So far, my experience is things are going to be more difficult for a large portion of people. On the surface, it sounds great: Easier access to health care for those with pre-existing conditions, lower out-of-pocket costs for preventative visits, the opportunity for small businesses and those without insurance to participate in health insurance “exchanges” to…

Thanksgiving rolled on through, like a freight train through a sleeping city. The day was pleasantly spent with family, sharing traditional food and catching up on all the mundane things that happen between family gatherings. There also was planning for the future, watching grandchildren play and a general atmosphere of comraderie. Though it sounds a bit droll, it really wasn’t. I love the holiday season and the time spent with family. It’s nice to take a day and stop the business of everyday life to relax with people I really care about. But it rolls through too fast. If I…

The photo is of celebrating 4th of July. I know there are a lot of messages today circulating about voting, but I am going to add one more. GET OUT AND VOTE! I plan to. Some people say this presidential election is one of the most important elections in history. I’m not sure I agree with that because our country has gone through many things, both good and bad. But our current economic situation, along with our country’s foreign relations, does make this election an important one. Next to those two issues is our health care climate. I was not…

Have you ever fuzed glass? I hadn’t, but I recently took a class and found out how easy it is. Actually, getting out of South Minneapolis was harder than the class. Artistic creativity, which is a big deal to me, has been sneaking in through the cracks of my busy life. In the last couple of months, I took a painting class and a glass pendant class, both through the blessing of Groupon discounts. I had a hard time finding the host of the pendant class, Glass Endeavors, in South Minneapolis. It is on 31st Street in an unfamiliar area.…