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It's the people who get sucked in to it and what happens to them that makes the story; and it is the brilliant thing about Dickens - you can see exactly the kind of characters he describes walking around today.

"Hard Times" is just as relevant - and a LOT shorter! :)
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CountryMouse, i just read some of what the story is about on Wikipedia. Oh good grief, now that case is complicated. Makes what we do a walk in the park :P
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It made me want to look it up anyway, so I'll explain.

When Bleak House was published as a book in 1853, it had been serialised before so Dickens wrote a preface. He explained that he had been taken to task in a jocular way by a judge who accused Dickens of greatly exaggerating the problems of the Court of Chancery, for which in any case (the judge said) the court was not to blame.

Essentially retorting "have I buggery exaggerated! - if anything I've downplayed it" Dickens mentions some cases from real life including one "not yet decided, which was commenced before the close of the last century, and in which more than double the amount of seventy thousand pounds* has been swallowed up in costs. If I wanted other authorities for JARNDYCE v. JARNDYCE, I could rain them on these pages..."

* = £8,365,544.90 today, or $11,217,191.85

If you haven't read Bleak House and you've plenty of time on your hands this summer, I do recommend it. But don't drop it on your foot.
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FF, have you read "Bleak House"?

It might make you want to send that Probate Office flowers and candy.
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A letter came in the mail, I am doing my happy dance.... not happy in the meaning of gleeful but in the mean that the project is finally done.

The letter was from the County Probate office, my Dad's Probate was finally signed off.... heck we started the Probate back in late 2016 a couple months after Dad passed. Yes, Dad had a Will as in my County even Wills of a certain asset amount has to pass through Probate.

Finally I can distribute funds that my Dad asked me to do to my cousins who were so sweet to write, call, and send greeting cards to my parents over the years. They aren't expecting this :))

Whew, I thought the Probate would out live me, and would have created a whole new complex issue.

Why does getting old have to be so complicated :P
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It depends how many of their voters have paid substantial long term care insurance premiums, FF.

And, how successfully they can present the concept that these benefits will be withdrawn or withheld only from the Undeserving. Cheats, idlers, scoundrels, the feckless, smokers, illegal immigrants (obviously). You know, the usual suspects.
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One saving grace is if our current President wants to cut Social Security, Medicare, and cut funding given to the States for Medicaid, it would take an act of Congress.

I wonder how many of our Congresspeople and Senators would be saying "yeah, great idea" when a large percentage of voters are senior citizens.
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Once upon a time, when I had cable, I watched the news 24/7 when I'm home. The lawmakers have been pushing to cut back or eliminate Social Security (to replace with people buying into stocks/bonds/IRA, etc....) and Medicare (too expensive, too much fraud, too much losing money - yet one senator voted for $450,000 to study ants!). Sigh... I used to watch the news because I worry that one day, Congress will finally decide to eliminate Medicare/Social Security just when I reach my 60's.
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No one mentions seniors. During the time they were negotiating the new tax plan they never mentioned giving seniors a tax credit. Two or three years ago some Dems proposed giving seniors the Earned Income Tax Credit if the senior had very low SS. It would have given them a check of up to $5000.00 annually similar to what low income families with children receive.

Housing for seniors is going to become more and more of an issue. In our area waiting lists for senior HUD apartments are a two to three year wait. Most of the apartments are double or triple deckers with steep steps.

Homelessness here is widespread. And no one seems concerned. My stepson owns a large apartment building. It used to be a subsidized senior building. It’s very nice. It was owned by the state. But 5 or so years ago the sate sold a lot of it’s property because the state was going bankrupt. It’s approved for subsidized rent, but no money to subsidize. There are 112 apts.

No one in government seems to care about homelessness_
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Every night as I drive through downtown, I'm amazed at the number of people camped out everywhere in the civic center
Some cities are citing the ridiculously high rents as one reason for the rise in homelessness

With the aging population, I wish politicians would even mention it but there were three separate candidate ads on tv tonight for the June primary and no one mentioned elder care
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Veronica, where did you hear this?
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I’ve been following a committee in the Maine legislature on Medicaid cuts. There is a great deal of negative sentiment about NH Medicaid. Many people have given statements about people who have shielded assists so they can use Medicaid NH benefits. The legislature is saying that state taxes are going to have to be raised to cover these escalating costs. The percentage of people needing NH coverage is high. I think tougher enforcement is needed. Keeping a spouse out of poverty is fine, but this whole shielding assets needs to be addressed. But it may be like always - let it slide.
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MsMadge I thoght that is what the federal govt or at leasts it's boss was planning to do. Also I believe they had their sights on Medicare and SS.
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Have folks read about Louisiana and its budget crisis?

Seems their house of reps is looking to make cuts in Medicaid and would plan to send eviction notices as they close down nursing home facilities
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Gershun,
"Big Burly Advocates for Seniors" is quite an idea.
As a coincidence, the Senior Center Handiworkers Program has a big burly guy they send out.
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Another pastor worthy of: "Can't you just shut him up?"

In the future, I will try harder to be more respectful to pastors, because only heaven knows where they will be going.

I have shopped around today and found that Cold Stone Creamery has ice cream cakes for mother's day. Tried the "Strawberry Passion" and even the cake is so very soft, it could pass as pureed? Your Mom might like it.
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Oh he visits Send, and now that we have had a number of deaths among the "shut ins" of the congregation he will have time to come more often. I have chosen not to tell my mother about the people who have died - why rub your nose in it - but I know he will mention all of them.
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People do, it is newsworthy, people have aged birthday parties all the time. Just because people do, doesn't make it an honor to the elder, or even their families.

Did you miss your opportunity to say: "You can tell her yourself when you make your usual visit to the elderly, widows, at the NH, you know....in the bible.....the true practice of religion?"
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CW,

No you are not the only one....there may only be 2 of us but you are not the only one.
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At church this morning the pastor says "be sure to let your mom know that she is the oldest church member now", as if that is a special honour or something. Uhm, I read the obits so I already know that the previous oldest member died last week.... am I the only one who thinks this isn't something to celebrate?
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Plumber is coming Monday, it is free!
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Send, I didn't know that we're suppose to turn off the water heater when we turn off the main water. Sorry that you've been getting one problem after another. You take care. {Hugs}
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Want to start a co-op where everyone signs up for tasks they can and are willing to do for others, in exchange for credits for the number of hours, which they can draw on to get stuff done they can't or don't do. No money, no tax headaches; I know so many people here that need help of some kind, and none of us can get decent help - or any help.  Big, burly advocates could be one of the tasks... My kingdom for a community organizer.
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Send, check out my new business idea on the Whine thread. "Big Burly advocates for Seniors" They 'd help you out.
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((((Send))))
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Have beetled around the site.  Or rather construction sites, several, all the way out to the street, where the City is working on repairs.
The water was turned off. There was a leak, and a trench dug next door. The water was turned back on. Bright orange water, popping gaps of air in pipes. Next day, contractor turned water off. Either the contractor or the plumber turned our water off, and left it off. So, when the hot water was turned on, the tank emptied partially, exposing the heating element. Tank burst at 2 a.m. The plumber denies responsibility. Did anyone know that if your water is turned off, it is recommended to turn off the water heater so it won't drain or heat up? Neither did I.

Now have an appointment at the senior center, handiworker's program, coordinates several agencies, water heater and repairs may be free. The last few days, I have gathered up all the required documents. Cannot tell you how hard this was.....I have had the application for repairs since 2013! On my way to success, however slow.

Thank you everyone for your advice, concern, and weighing in on this distressful topic
for me. Thank you! HUGS ALL!
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Don't go to law, no. Like curing a headache by drilling a hole in your head.

But can you beetle around the site and see if you can spot the name and telephone number of a contractor, just to get some information?

It's like with traffic jams - they're so much more bearable if you know a) why they've happened and b) how long you'll probably be stuck there.
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Exactly CWillie, far too long, and someone is to blame. Those kind of issues are best solved in court, taking longer to settle.

Must take my time to travel the path most propitious to me to obtain the water heater.

Getting angry, planning lawsuits, standing up to predators will undo our stability, so I must plan carefully: Eat, bathe, pay bills, get hubs to work, clean house and laundry.

Nobody's gonna slow me down.
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This has gone on far too long Send :(
I'm not clear on what exactly happened to the water and who is responsible, but could there not be a possibility of an insurance claim that would relocate you temporarily in a hotel/motel? Wouldn't it be comparable to if your house had suffered damage because of a neighbour's fire?
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MsMadge,
Potable water is drinkable water, so No, I do not have potable water. The water was turned off twice yesterday for an emergency. When it is turned back on, there is air, rust, dirt, etc. coming out of the faucet.

There is "portable water", when the faucet is flowing, I take the cold water from the faucet to the stove, heat it up, and carry it to the bathroom for sponge baths.

We drink only bottled water, but now, brushing teeth, rinsing vegetables, cooking only with bottled water is happening, as well as boiling water to rinse dishes.

This is temporary, worse than camping out, imo.
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