October 18, 2017

7:56 p.m.

Ah, fall!

I love fall. It's my favorite season. I love the changing colors in nature. I love the cooler weather. I love getting to wear fall clothes, because, let's face it--I am not a summer clothes girl.

And let us not forget all things pumpkin.

Sadly, this is also my season for the year's worst allergies. I sneeze, I wheeze. I'm at least three times more likely to deal with asthma attacks.

The irony is not lost on me.

This is some BS, man!

Well, it's off to the store for me tomorrow. Gotta stock up on that Zyrtec.
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You know, I need to vent a little bit. It's the store thing. I grew up in this town a century or two ago, right? And I have been here since July for reasons. I like to come and visit, see my parents, family, friends.

Even though I love it here, there are reasons I could never come back. And one of those reasons is the fact that this town has allowed itself to be sold out to Kroger to the exclusion of any competitive markets.

There were stores here when I was a kid, and there was a lower population then, so you can't tell me that it's not possible to make a profit if there are competing markets. The prices are outrageous, and if you want to save a dime or two, you have to drive to the next town.

That can't be healthy for the profits of the "company store", the fact that locals would rather take their commerce to a whole other town rather than pay through the nose.

Back in the day I could take a ten minute walk from my parents' house and shop for groceries (City Market) or clothes (Pamida) or drugs (Hillcrest Drug). Those places are all gone. There is one grocery store. It's overpriced. People tell me living in Denver is too expensive, but let me tell you, I do not pay this much for groceries there, even with the sales tax. And if we want hamburger? Out of town we go.

Competition is a good thing. It keeps prices at a more reasonable level. I think someone needs to fix this situation and open another grocery store.

The other reason I could never come back is more complicated. I have good insurance in Colorado. It's not available here. Again, no competitive market. No options at all for me. Take this one or go without. Insurance shouldn't be so inaccessible. I feel sorry for people here, trying to get a reasonably priced policy. No wonder I see so many people complaining about costs--but the state has given you no choices!

I can't change to anything here that would give me the coverage I have, so I guess I will stay a Coloradan. I cannot be without coverage--I have issues that require frequent care. So....dang!

And it makes me sad, you know? I would like to be able to make a choice about where to live based on something else. I would really like to be here all the time for my parents. But I can't help anyone if I give up my health care options and get sick, so...

I guess I'll remain the yo-yo, and go back and forth.

Frustrating. As. Hell.

But don't ever think that I would be unwilling to come and stay for awhile, because I always will. Just holler!
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Okay, I'll quit griping now.

Let's talk about--

Nope!

I was going to say movies.

Oh, okay. Carry on.

Tuesday movie night was "The Mountain Between Us" starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba. Edge of your seat entertainment, this one. I would like to think that I'd be that brave and persistent in similar circumstances, but realistically? I'd be DRT. (Dead Right There).

I cannot imagine the work that went into the making of this movie. Both actors are amazing. I would strongly recommend a trip to the theater for this one, folks!
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Okay, I have a LOVELY sinus headache due to allergies, so I am not MeThinking very straight at this point. So before I say something completely ridiculous, I'll just say goodnight.

Goodnight!