Diving, Floating, and pRocrastinating

Diving headlong into my writing in Belize '08

Floating in Belize '08

When I write, I dive headlong into the work as into a river, where I swim for my life or, depending on the tenor of the story, float on my back, gazing at clouds. ~ Jan Karon, author

   A few random thoughts on diving, floating, and pRocrastinating.  I do all three, but mostly the latter, especially when it comes to my writing.  However, the more I think about it, I'm that way in my everyday life.  If I love an idea, I dive headlong into the river, forgetting to eat and drink, sometimes suffering from dehydration.  When I'm living in the now, I float along thinking of only the moment with no care of time.  On the other hand, if I have to do something that I fear, or I'm not certain of how it will turn out or how much time it will take, I pRocRastinate.  I can think of a hundred things I must do first--laundry, swiffer floors, scare frogs off the patio, or watch one of my favorite old movies.  I waste more time pRocrastinating.

   But I'm changing, proving that you can teach old dogs new tricks.  I'm now diving headlong into those challenging projects (calling Medicare regarding my father's insurance--staying on hold for 30 minutes is no fun; canceling Weight Watchers online--what a joke; and of course writing the next chapter of my book).  

   So, what are you pRocrastinating about today?  Why don't you try diving headlong into that challenge or fear?  And when you do, you'll find that you'll have much more time to float on your back and gaze at the clouds.

Happy floating!  

Medicare, or I-don't-care? Aunt Eunice, help!

My mind is telling me that I'm too young to be applying for Medicare, but my reflection in my computer screen tells me otherwise; so does my birth certificate. Reality is settling in--I'm pushing 65. So I sit at www.medicare.org, staring at the screen that has way too much information for this gal to read in one sitting. Patty Duke even has a short video telling me how simple it is to sign up. I read, and read, and read. If I don't understand, just call 800-MEDICARE. I call, and all I get is lots of recordings. Great! So I call my Aunt Eunice; she knows everything about anything, almost. But I love the way she answers my questions, simply and directly, so that I totally understand.

Question: When do I apply for Medicare? Aunt Eunice: "Apply anytime the mood strikes, darlin'. By the way, what does apply mean?"

Question: Am I automatically covered for doctor's visits under Plan A? Aunt Eunice: "Why, of course, why wouldn't you be? You definitely look 65."

Question: How do I sign up for Plan B? Aunt Eunice: "There's a plan B? I'm so glad you called! I'm 87 and it looks like I need to pursue this Medicare thing further. Bye darlin'!" And off Auntie drives to her nearest Social Security Office.

~ Not only did Aunt Eunice answer my questions, but I helped her discover Plan B. Now, that's what I call teamwork!

~ I know most of my followers aren't near the age of 65, but just look what you have to look forward to! And for all my almost 65-year-old buddies: Have questions? Give Auntie Eunice a ring; she'll be happy to help, and by then she'll have all the answers for Plan B. And like I always say, When all else fails, blog! It certainly helped me today.

Oceans of blessings!