This is a picture of Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda. The water is so clear you can see the bottom and the waves are just high enough to be fun. The color of the water is turquoise with darker shades probably where it's deeper or there is something like seaweed, reefs or rock. Lighter areas can be seen where there are sandbars. The sun is very hot and you need to use plenty of sunblock. On the far side of the beach are rock.

This is the ship that took my family and myself to Bermuda from Norfolk, the Royal Carribean. It was my first cruise and I must say it was delightful. Everything was well organized from beginning to the end. The entertainment was good, the food was terrific and all the workers went out of their way to give us great service. Bermuda was beautiful. The water is turquois with variations of light and dark areas, according to depth and sand. The island is shale rock. The houses are made of stone from the shale and covered in stucco, then painted in white or light pastels. All the roofs are made of the shale, sliced like bread, according to the driver of the taxi in which we drove from Horseshoe Bay and then the roofs are painted in white, which is a requirement.

As a student nurse I came in contact with quite a few people from the southern Russia area, Ukrania and Poland. The school of nursing was in an area heavily concentrated with people from these areas. I found them to be fun loving, friendly and warm people and so I found it disturbing to see Georgia invaded the other day. The people want to be free and independant. I think all people want to be free and sometimes pay a hefty price for freedom. Now you have to think of the casualties. People killed and wounded, homes destroyed. I do wish them well. Thank God for nurses and doctors. Thank God for America.

The loon is an interesting bird that looks somewhat like a duck with red eyes. This is not a very good picture but you might be able to see the image somewhat. It's from an old calendar put out by the National Wildlife Fed. The loon has three distinct calls which some people feel sounds like the cry of a baby. It is a eerie sound. "It is said when you hear the call of loon, someone will drown." It is also said that "if a loon calls during a funeral, he's helping the dead person's soul to make it;s way to heaven." The native American people had many myths and legends built up around the loon. Some other points of interest about the loon are that it can dive very deeply without coming up for air and that it carries its young on its back for protection. The library north of Lake Placid is a wonderful place to do research. Unfortunately I had very little time to spend there. I would like to go back someday.

I'm editing a story which takes place in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York. This is a beautiful animal that is prevalent in that area and is the cause of some auto accidents. Like the deer, we have invaded the territory where they have lived and their long legs sometimes go over the hood of a car. The picture of the lake is where most of the story takes place. This particular lake is named Loon Lake and is north of Lake Placid. The loon is an interesting bird that looks somewhat like a duck with red eyes. I hope you'll be able to read the story to learn more about it. Ann

I finally have a picture. My grandson put this one on for me as I am not that familiar with this technology. This is me, years ago, when I was working as a nurse in the nursing home next door to my house. I was working at night and ready to go home when someone took the picture.
Just thought I'd add it to the blog. Now we have to get ready to celebrate a birthday. There are five in our family this month.
Ann

Health issues and the family

I've been involved with a health issue with my grand-daughter lately where the insurance company doesn't want to approve an MRI. Of course they're expensive and might mean that something more expensive will come from the results, like surgery. I realize that sometimes tests are ordered when they aren't needed, but I do believe the majority of doctors order tests which they believe are necessary. I think it's a shame that the doctors have to fight the insurance companies in these cases, but that's what it leads to and sometimes the families have to fight also. All that means time wasted, which could be vital for a patient.
I'd like to hear your comments on this matter.
Ann