I see my General Practitioner when I feel like it - sometimes make an appointment, sometimes not. Need see him only for medicals - thank God. I hear that if I get more than one a year, I may have to pay for at least part of the additional visit. As it is - no charge. My family has history of prostate trouble, so I might be able to avoid that extra cost. He has sent me for a couple of prostate tests - first cost $20., second (for more extensive checking) cost $40. I had an MRI test for that about three years ago - think it cost me something, though was not major. In the ordinary course of things, I'd probably have had to wait for a period, so I guess he called it emergency. When I see him for illnesses, no charge - to me. If I need to visit a specialist, I understand that quite often it entails a substantial waiting period. No charge if I make such visits for necessary service (e.g. if I want cosmetic plastic surgery, to pull my face up an inch or two, I must pay for that myself). No charge when I visit hospitals. If I want semi-private or private room, there's a surcharge that I must pay, but ward service for most illnesses is at no cost. Drugs while in hospital are free - but not after I leave. But, being over 65, I get a break on drug costs. I live in Canada. There is a major effort going on at the moment to open our doors to U.S. style private medical system - which many of us are trying to forestall. We hear that major medical costs are the primary reason for personal bankruptcies in the "good old U.S.A.". Good wishes for health of mind, body, spirit - and pocketbook - to all of you seniors. joyful guy/Ed P.S. U.S.ers in nearby states are reputed to come to Canada by the busload to fill their prescriptions - and a major drug company is threatening to cut off supplies to some of the Canadian pharmacies who make them available on a major basis (largely via internet) to U.S.ers. EB

Chelone, I'm sad to hear that your mother has had to cope with some cancer. It is hard to deal with that - even if one's trouble is of one's own making. My family has a history of weak lungs, which I share. I started to smoke at age 16 and after a few months decided that I didn't care for either the taste or, being frugal, the cost - so quit. Now enjoying good health at age 75, I'm very thankful that I had the common snense to do that. And often suggest to others that I hope that they decide to quit, so increase their chances of enjoying such a prolonged and healthy retirement, as well. I try not to come off judgementally about it - and few have given a surly response. Some have thanked me. Hayjud, I hope that you were not upset by my rather joking and somewhat smart-assed suggestion that you consider moving to Canada. Seriously, have you considered taking on a part-time project to produce some income? The nice thing is that you are your own boss, you can do the kind of thing that you are interested in and good at, and can do whatever you choose at your own speed. You don't have the pressure to produce enough to live on - as you had planned to get along on the retirement income that was already in place. I subscribe to a newsletter that discussed some of the issues related to that just this week - can send you URL if you wish (don't know it at present - but can look it up). On the internet might be possible. Some sell on ebay, etc. I feel that it would be preferable if you have knowledge that you can sell, whether by newsletter, ezine, etc. Possibly even personal consultation, whether on the internet or even by phone. Easy to send the messages - better than having to wrap and ship products, I think. I find that it is difficult to find people to reply showing interest in your offer, let alone subscribing, for there is so much material there already. Many don't like what they see and have been turned off regarding the whole thing. I have an idea that might be of interest, which I've checked out around here, but have minimal information that might be helpful to you. Good wishes as you proceed with your retirement. I hope that you enjoy it and have the good helath to be able to do a number of the things that you've looked forward to doing for a number of recent years. joyful

Kordes roses are very healthy ... I see Kordes Flower-Carpet series perform best in both dry and wet weather. Here's an excerpt from below link how how hardy & no-spray Kordes roses are for cold-zones: http://www.denverrosesociety.org/education/Kordes_Roses.pdf The ADR is both one of the highest awards a rose variety can attain, and one of the most severe trials for roses worldwide. It is a three year evaluation of new varieties in 11 locations throughout Germany. The plants are given no protection in this challenging Northern European climate. No plant protection sprays are used. Of the 102 varieties which have received this designation since 2000, 42 were bred by Kordes. Fairy Tale™ Roses are Kordes’ answer to David Austin. Among them are: Cinderella Fairy Tale™ 2003 Healthy foliage; light-pink, abundant, very full flowers; excellent for hedges/ Grimm Brothers Fairy Tale™ 2002 ADR; healthy foliage; brilliant, very double, orange/apricot flowers with a yellow reverse; blooms in clusters; slight fragrance; Lions Fairy Tale™ 2002 ADR; vigorous, glossy, extremely healthy foliage; upright and elegant plant; cream white flowers age to apricot/pink; slight fragrance; Pomponella Fairy tale™ 2006 ADR; vigorous, healthy foliage; proliferate bloomer; dark pink, round buds open to cupped blooms borne in clusters; species rose scent; Vigorosa Roses are a group of vigorous, continuous-blooming, healthy, landscape and ground cover roses in a range of vibrant colors. Fragrances are slight. The catalog lists Apricot, Fortuna (pink), Toscana (raspberry red), Salmon, Ruby, Innocencia (white), and Sweet (crimson pink). Frilly Toscana looks especially interesting. Climbing Max is a collection of the most beautiful and disease resistant climbers recently created by Kordes. They are: Kordes Aloha/Aloha Hawaii™ 2003 Very double blooms of apricot, orange, pink and red come in trusses of up to ten blooms with a delicate, fruity fragrance. Amadeus™ 2003 Classic, brilliant, blood red blooms come continually in trusses of 5 to 7 with a slight fragrance. Gold Medals from The Hague, Lyon and Geneva. Kordes Golden Gate™ 2006 ADR; Double, golden yellow blooms come in trusses of 5 to 10 with intense fresh citrus scent. Prix de Parfum winner, Paris. Jasmina™ 2005 ADR; has an abundance of violet-pink flowers with a rich, sweet fragrance. Laguna™ 2004 ADR; has deep pink, very double old-fashioned blooms with intense fruity fragrance. Kordes Moonlight™ 2004 Semi-double, copper-yellow blooms in clusters of 4 to 6 have rich fragrance. Rosanna™ 2002 Brilliant, double, salmon-pink climber with deeply cupped blooms that come in large trusses. Slight fragrance. Gold Medals from The Hague, Lyon and Geneva. Veranda™ Roses, also known as the Flower Circus series, are a group of compact floribundas for gardeners with limited space. The plants of this series range between 2 and 3 feet when mature, making them perfect for small spaces and patio containers. All have slight fragrance. Flower sizes appear to be those of large mini-floras. Balconia™ Roses are low-growing, trailing plants, ideal for hanging baskets and planters placed on walls. All of them have a uniform spreading habit, appealing blooms in interesting colors, abundant one-inch flowers borne in clusters with good repeat, and abundant semi-glossy to glossy foliage. Besides Raspberry, the plants come in white (Innocencia), salmon/pink (Electric), Hot Pink, Apricot and red (Toscana). Fruitilia™ Roses do double duty. In addition to lovely garden blooms in the summer, these varieties will produce sprays of rose hips for fall and winter cutting. The hips vary in size and color from plant to plant. All of the Fruitilias are productive and easy to maintain with a long vase life, and are available in a choice of colors including coffee, orange and red. Freelander™ Roses are cutting garden roses, bred for a long vase life. Fragrances are moderate to strong. Some of these are: Caramel Antique Freelander™ is a large-flowered, elegant, buff-yellow variety with a vase life of 12 days. Cinderella Freelander™ is a moderately fragrant. Abundant, glossy foliage, good fragrance, and a vase life of 8 to 10 days. Corrie Freelander™ is a relatively carefree plant with spectacular hot pink blooms carried on long stems. Vase life is 12 days. Fantasia Mondiale Freelander™ produces large, double, apricot/pink blooms on long stems with semi-glossy abundant foliage. Vase life is 10 days. Ice Girl Freelander™ is a vigorous, white rose that is extremely weather-resistant. Has intense fragrance, hybrid tea form and a vase life of 6 to 8 days. Magma Freelander™ is one of the leading cut roses in European markets. It is an eye-catching yellow/red bi-color with hybrid tea form and a vase life of two weeks. The Kordes Hybrid Teas listed below are both beautiful and healthy. Berolina 1986 This rose is hardy and robust enough to survive almost total neglect on our back fence. It has long-lasting, high-centered, lemon-yellow blooms with a slight red blush. Beverly 2007 This is a recent Kordes release, and is on the Macon wish list. The color is a luscious mix of several shades of pink, and the centers are high. Its intense, fruity fragrance won the Perfume Award at Baden-Baden in 2008. Grand Amore 2004 ADR. This Gold Medal winner has been in my garden for two years, and is already a favorite. It is a very vigorous, hardy plant that produces large, high-centered, bright red, non-fading flowers contrasted with dark green foliage on long stems that just beg to be cut. La Perla 2008 This rose is for you if you aren’t interested in showing all of your hybrid teas, but want a vigorous, hardy, gorgeously old-fashioned rose. Parole/Buxom Beauty 2001 Depending on where you order this rose, it will be called one name or another. It really is a buxom beauty, and a true show rose. The large, deep-pink blooms with a burgundy edge are consistently high-centered. The plant is very disease resistant and has shiny green leaves, long stems, exceptional hardiness and vigor. To complete this prize package, its rich, intense scent won Perfume Awards in Madrid and Nantes. From Steve Singer at Wisconsin Roses, budded on multiflora. Valencia 1989 This rose is a high-centered, very large-flowered, apricot show rose. It is also a true garden classic, being very showy in the front of a border, as it is not a tall plant. Mine is on its own roots and has been totally hardy and floriferous for 10 years. Winner of the Henry Edland Medal for fragrance. If you are growing roses along Colorado’s front range, chances are there is already a Kordes rose or two in your garden. Mine include floribundas Nicole, Iceberg (Schneewittchen), Sunsprite (Friesia) and Gold Marie; climbers Summerwine, Rosarium Uetersen, Ilse Krohn and Dortmund; Red Ribbons (Mainaufeuer) shrublet; grandiflora Vera Johns; and hybrid teas Bride’s Dream, Folklore, Helen Naude, Liebeszauber and Sandra. All are hardy and disease resistant. Credit for this article goes to Palatine Roses, which supplied the literature. Carol Macon, Consulting Rosarian" http://www.denverrosesociety.org/education/Kordes_Roses.pdf

smhinnb, says: "along with lack of physicians and specialists in some Provinces, especially the rural areas." Response: I think that is what most Americans are afraid of in going single-pay, is that, the lack of physicians would probably be a big problem for us. Americans are used to the best care around, and we may lose that if we go single-pay, which I am definitely a fan of instead of ACA for sure. There is already a problem in the US finding specialists in rural areas. There has been for decades. And I'm not talking just about just pediatric cardiologists, or endocrinologists -- I'm talking about basic OB/GYN services, radiologists, etc. these underserved areas will remain underserved for some time, even under single payer. It will take a while for the new equilibrium to settle in -- new earnings expectations for physicians, etc. -- and there will definitely be growing pains. Growing pains can mean scarcities in areas that haven't experienced them before. But it wouldn't be the end of the world.