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Okay, I should be grateful. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has far more generous benefits than most states for those seeking aid from the outrageous expense of health insurance.

Turns out my household is eligible for assistance, based on our income and employment status. This is a mixed blessing, but what the hell.

I think, though, that the Commonwealth could be a bit smarter about it. For example, we're reimbursed after we pay the entire cost of insurance per month. That's over $1,000.00 per month for us. Now you guys from outside the US, pick up those jaws. Okay. It's a royal pain, but what the hell.

On top of this, a copy of the front and back of a canceled check is required for proof of payment of that outrageous premium. Problem is, my bank no longer provides a copy of the front and back of a canceled check. They haven't done that in years. Most banks here don't, and haven't in years. So, I have to contact the bank, every month, to get a photocopy of the front and back. The originals are destroyed. But, what the hell.

Then, hubby dear barges in on my work day, insists I do all of this right at this very moment, even though I have deadlines and haven't heard peep one about any of this beforehand.

This is where I reach for a bottle of wine. This is where "what the hell" reaches its limits. Thank goodness I have a backup in a long-stemmed glass, or someone would be flying out of a window right now.

I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow. Or maybe just later today, after glass two.

Aaargh.

You ever have one of those days when you feel like doing jack s***? That was me today, listlessly pressing one button after another on my computer and barely getting the energy up to make dinner. I started a Stephen King novel, but decided that blood'n guts was not what my laggard brain required. So, I didn't write anything new, didn't read anything new, didn't do...well, jack.

Maybe I needed the down time. All that recent brain activity has plum tuckered me out. So, there I was sitting downstairs with a rather gory novel and wondering if that was really what I wanted to do in an evening. My husband brought me some treats in the form of chocolate and perhaps that endorphin boost was behind the next inspiration.

I was browsing this-and-that websites today, part of my normal Margy-the-computer-consultant routine, when I came across some sites that contained public domain pictures, videos and audio. In other words, take 'em, they're free! I was particularly enchanted by one site containing thousands of free sounds effects. You know, people walking, crowds in restaurants, chainsaws. Everything a brain dead computer sycophant might desire for a night of playing.

So, I played. And here's what I came up with.

This is a great way to start a day:

But then, we all can't wake up in a pasture. Usually, I just hear this:

Ah yes, city life. And, I've found the perfect sound for all my wedded nights:

What, you think we're sexy at our age. Please. As soon as the hubby starts sawing wood, here's what I feel like saying:

Happy Halloween!

Sad but sweet: I found this on YouTube:

New England is a colorful place in the fall, even in the kitchen. I made up a batch of green tomato mincemeat, an absolutely fabulous meat-free mincemeat recipe that's sweet, tart and rich all at the same time. The recipe calls for dried cherries, so there's a wonderful aftertaste of these as well. It's everything you'd expect in a mincemeat and is second-to-none, particularly if you make the pie with a home made crust.

Green Tomato Mincemeat

Ingredients 

Directions 

New England is a colorful place in the fall, even in the kitchen. I made up a batch of green tomato mincemeat, an absolutely fabulous meat-free mincemeat recipe that's sweet, tart and rich all at the same time. The recipe calls for dried cherries, so there's a wonderful aftertaste of these as well. It's everything you'd expect in a mincemeat and is second-to-none, particularly if you make the pie with a home made crust.

Green Tomato Mincemeat

Ingredients 

Directions 

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward." Amelia Earhart.

A woman awakes during the night to find that her husband is not in bed. Concerned, she puts on her robe and goes downstairs to look for him. She finds him sitting at the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee in front of him. He appears to be in very deep thought, just staring at the wall. She watches as he wipes a tear from his eye and takes a sip of his coffee. 

"What's the matter, dear?" she whispers as she steps into the room. "Why are you down here at this time of night?" 
 
The husband looks up from his coffee. "Do you remember 20 years ago when we were dating, and you were only 16?" he asks solemnly.
 
"Yes, I do "she replies, touched to tears that her husband is so caring and sensitive.
 
The husband pauses. The words were not coming easily. "Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?" 
 
"Yes, I remember…" said the wife, lowering herself into the chair beside him.
 
The husband continued: "Do you remember when he shoved the shotgun in my face and said, 'Either you marry my daughter, or I will send you to jail for 20 years?' "
 
"I remember that too," she replied softly. 
 
He wipes another tear from his cheek and says…
 
 
…"I would have gotten out today.”