Rainy Autumn Thoughts

The early hours out my window here in Vermont have been mostly dark with rain clouds. A few minutes ago, I saw blue sky. Now, I need to put a lamp on. Outside it is windy and raining again. Once the blustery episode passes, blue skies will return. 

The mood of the daylight darkness stirs thoughts of Edgar Allen Poe, a cozy corner on the sofa, hot chocolate, and a good book (or film). Escaping into the creative literary world is the umbrella we hold over our souls to keep our feelings from washing away from lack of attention. Care for me, whispers to us as the chill, we know is out there, makes us shiver.

I hear thunder. The moody atmosphere builds. I take another gulp of hot chocolate and glance out the window. Most of the trees are at peak while a tall maple shows only the first tinges of gold. I will miss the gray sky when the blue returns.

More thunder. The sky is clearing, lighter, less gray. Branches wiggle instead of sweep through in the air. There is a steady drip sound on the patio. The weather radar says, Hold on there just a minute. 

Search Frustration for Health Care

 Many may have read in the news that Medicare* supplemental health insurance search windows are open in Vermont. 

In the news, two Medicare supplemental health insurance providers are pulling out of Vermont as of 2026, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare. Easy to find and read information.

That is not the case finding the answer to the question of what carriers are still available for Vermonters. 

Every search result I clicked on requires information such as zip code, full name, and some, birth date and phone number*. None just  list the carriers available in Vermont. The Medicare website requires having an account. 

Get a Quote and Talk To An Agent, mean to me, phone calls I don’t want and weeks or months of emails. 

I only want the name of the carrier, read about their policy online, search reviews online, and that’s it. No calls. No emails. No texts. When I decide on a carrier, then I will apply, talk to an agent so they get the credit.

 

* The Medicare 2026 booklet that comes in the mail, has carrier information.

* Note, in less than a half hour, I’ve received 2 medical robo-calls. Duh on me for entering my phone number when I first began searching online. 

Autumn Afternoon Sunshine

Autumn Photograph: Rain clouds

 The prettiest skies are in the fall when trees are full of color against a dark gray sky.

Making the Most of October

Making the most of a season requires taking in all the parts that make you happy, inspire, and/or thrill you. Create rituals like going to a special location in the woods or a favorite diner or both. 

October Suggestions:

• Embrace pumpkins ~ Hunt for the best ones, make pumpkin pie or cheesecake, cook roast pumpkin soup, wear a pumpkin tee shirt, paint a field of pumpkins, carve a pumpkin, decorate with pumpkins, attend a pumpkin chuckin’ event
• Watch Scary Movies ~ Both Hocus Pocus films are #1 because they are fun without much gross stuff. 
• Read Scary Books ~ Stephen King reigns here as Salem’s Lot, is the scariest book I’ve ever read. I have yet to watch the entire movie without leaving the room. 
• Nature ~ Be outdoors as much as possible being a leaf peeper hiker walker person. Bring along a thermos of hit mocha. Have picnics outdoors. Plein air paint.

Seasonal Issues

There are days when my thinking slides into reality like slipping on black ice. Listing the positive and negatives of life for review is a good thing to do. It forces me to yank out good things that I’d rather brush off as a fluke, not really meant to be.

But they are. 

We are all meant to experience good. 

Dwelling on the bad times is not good. 

Feeling that life has too much negativity is normal. 

Having it be the truth is a problem. 

What to do about it varies. I'm sure talking to a trusted love one, friend or therapist is positive start. Then comes the work we have to put into ourselves.

Presently, this time of the year putting away summer and bringing out winter things can be a mess of indecision, clutter rising, and let's go outside to look at the leaves instead of box up this crap. Everywhere I look there are small areas of stuff needing attention. The pressure to get it all done makes me want to go out to buy potato chips. 

Anyway, I won't buy them. I'll buy a candy bar* instead.

😎

* Bought a Nestle’s Chunky 😎