Lenten Gratitude--Day 8
Today I am grateful that the sun is out,
the wind is down and even at 19 degrees,
it wasn't too awfully cold while I filled up my car gas tank.
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It was stated in the news that Livingston County is the richest county in Michigan. Which makes me ponder on why I am living in this County. I knew within three months of moving here that doctor, dental, medical, etc. rates where higher than the County I had just come from. Gas prices always seem to be a bit higher here also. Home prices certainly are.
The crime rate is extremely low, which is a good thing. We have a population of 190,00 in this County. 96.8% White, 0.6% Black, 0.9% Asian, 1% Hispanic. Which may explain the low crime rate. (That sounds racist, doesn't it?). Well, truth is, as truth is.
I have lived here 12 years and I have seen perhaps a half dozen Blacks. Of those half-dozen, five are either doctor's or attorneys, working at the U of M in Ann Arbor. I saw a black lady in Wal-Mart last week and it sort of startled me. I guess I have become accustomed to living in a "white" world.
Before I moved here, I lived in Saginaw and before that, I worked in Flint. The population of white to black in those two areas is about 60-40. We all moved around together and thought nothing of it.
Wouldn't it feel strange to be in a big Wal-Mart store and be the only person of your race? She didn't appear to be uncomfortable, but was in a hurry. The Wal-Mart is just one mile off the expressway--perhaps she came from the expressway and just ran in for a few items? I don't know, but I saw other's reactions and they seemed taken aback too. It is that unusual, in this County. Anyway, she was behind me in the "20 or less" check-out lane and I told her to go ahead of me, She had a lovely smile and said, "Thank You."
Where is this going? I have no clue. I live in the richest County in Michigan and it is 96.8% white, the crime rate is very low and I wonder if that has anything to do with it.. (There I go again. Sounding like a racist!)
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Today I went to the Food Bank. What a disappointment. Perhaps because it is late in the month? They had no ground beef--in fact they had very little meat at all. I did get a can of beef with juice that Pearl told me she got last month and it was very good. I also got an onion, a potato and some baby carrots. I will put them and the beef all together and come up with something like stew. I came up to the scales with only 21 pounds of stuff. I am allowed 60#. Although I never get that much.
I went up the road a bit to the gas station and filled up my car--only $20.00. It used to cost $40.00, so I am liking the low(er) gas prices.
Then, I was going on up the road to Wal-Mart, but...I just didn't have it in me. My stomach has been iffy for the last two days. My neck, shoulder and arm are paining me life crazy and my back hurts. So, I just came home, put stuff away and sat down in my chair with my hot Rice Sock over my shoulder.
I have been sleeping so well. The doc recommended 5 mg Melatonin, a natural hormone that our bodies lose as we age. I take it at bedtime and it really works great. However, I have been waking up with the bad neck and shoulder ache. Time to try a different pillow, I guess.
Dar came over this morning--at 9:30!!! She liked my doctor!!! She hasn't gone to a male doctor for years because she doesn't trust men and she doesn't like to be touched, by anyone, but especially men. She is still concerned with the cyst or whatever it is in her groin. He didn't think it was serious enough to do surgery on it and cautioned her that surgery might make things worse. It is probably caused by adhesion's that she has from previous surgeries. So, he is going to contact the surgeon she had gone to, and research a bit before he decides if it might just be better to go in and aspirate it.
He did get her scheduled for her colonoscopy and blood work. She didn't quite take him into her confidence yet about her mental issues--she said, "I have to trust him more." I wondered how it was beneficial to go to a doctor if you DIDN'T tell him everything, but then...that's Dar.
Today, Ginger was very happy with the peanuts I put out for her and Smokey and Baby Boo. I did see them, but only got a photo of Ginger.