BootsnAll Travel Network



Articles Tagged ‘USA’

More articles about ‘USA’
« Home

Oregon Fall Colors

Monday, November 20th, 2017

My renter, Sharon, took photos of our yard in Salem. A nice respite from recent days in Oaxaca.

A Medical Practice In The U.S.

Saturday, July 29th, 2017

My husband, who was in a pediatric practice…which is basically a GP for little people… went to work at 8 and came home about 6…the last hour finishing up chart notes and patient call-backs…with an hour off for lunch. Four days a week. At least half the day “off” was spent making hospital “rounds.”

If there was a really sick baby, eg. a premature birth in the hospital, that doctor was on “call” 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Then each doctor in the group practice took turns taking after hours “call.” There were 5 doctors in his group. Patients could call in at all hours and on weekends free of charge. So that meant his sleep was disturbed many times during the night. It also meant he couldn’t plan much for the weekends on “call” as he had to stay near the phone.

Finally the last couple of years he “bought” out of call by taking less prorated monthly pay. Of course all the doctors shared the cost of a huge bookkeeping and managing staff and the nurses and translators. Pediatricians are among doctors who get the least pay…the joke being that you can’t charge as much for people under 3 feet tall. 😉

If a practice accepted medicare patients (and many medical groups are refusing to do this) a doctor is paid pennies on the dollar…about 70% less.
And a medical education in the U.S. costs upward of $300 to $500 thousand dollars. My husband finally paid off all his loans the last year of practice.

The happiest day of his life was the day he retired.

My son, who is an anesthesiologist, learned from his father, to be in a solo practice…works from 7am until usually 7 at night 5 and sometimes 6 days a week. He can’t refuse medicare patients because he is working for the surgeon. I worry about him.

Finally there is the issue of doctor depression and suicides, often during residencies with 24 hours “on” every other day and a punishing hazing culture in medical schools and teaching hospitals.

https://www.fastcompany.com/3056015/the-hidden-epidemic-of-doctor-suicides

The health system in the U.S is criminal.

Why I Prefer Oaxaca

Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
We expats are finding what we did not find "at home." I retired in 2002, traveled for 5 years, went back "home" for 2 months and was bored to tears. Most of my friends had moved ... [Continue reading this entry]

Emergency Trip To Salem

Friday, March 31st, 2017
Lost my iPhone! And locked out of iCloud and email! But most of all family and businesses lost access to my phone number! But I lucked out this time. Weather is mighty fine! Sleeping in Doug's trailer at the farm ... [Continue reading this entry]

The U.S. Is A Mess!

Wednesday, February 8th, 2017
Got back to Oregon in the middle of an ice and snow storm on Jan 5. The Lexus was sliding all over so had to rent an SUV. Had no idea it was so expensive to rent a car in ... [Continue reading this entry]

Christmas In Chiang Mai

Monday, December 26th, 2016
November and December 2016 After a month in Bangkok and a 5 day visa run to Hanoi, I've been in Chiang Mai with Doug since November 21. We are staying at the Smith Residence and I have a great view of ... [Continue reading this entry]

What I Do By Myself All Day In Bangkok

Saturday, October 29th, 2016
After the wedding in Hong Kong, I flew to Bangkok on Oct 17. Stayed in the Dvaree Bali Serviced Apartments down an alley off Sukhumvit 22 where I've stayed several times before and can hang out with the guys (expats) ... [Continue reading this entry]

Las Vegas Again & Great Salt Lake

Saturday, October 3rd, 2015
October 3, 2015 Flew to Las Vegas from Oaxaca early on my way back to Asia. Had an MRI and injections with a spinal surgeon that works with Greg. They really rolled out the red carpet for me and ... [Continue reading this entry]

Las Vegas On The Way To Oaxaca

Thursday, June 4th, 2015
June 4, 2015 Really enjoying Greg in Las Vegas. Weather warm but perfect for me. Greg took me to a concert with Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin) on May 28. ... [Continue reading this entry]

March 2015 Sun at the Oregon Farm

Friday, March 13th, 2015
[gallery link="file" columns="2"]

Spirit Prayer

Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
It was an amazing experience. I was in my familiar Governor's Cup coffee shop in Salem Oregon talking with my friend when I told her I didn’t know what to do with all the Indian rocks my father inadvertently dug ... [Continue reading this entry]

Nearing The End of Insanity

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015
I have been renting the house out in Salem Oregon ever since I retired in 2002. After traveling for 5 years I settled as an expat in Oaxaca in 2006. I return to Salem about once a year for regular ... [Continue reading this entry]

Parting With Stuff In Oregon

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015
Darn, saw where the teachers, on strike, closed the airport in Oaxaca. But I suppose nothing lasts very long. I fly in next wednesday. Things should quiet down a bit after the elections Sunday. Now, of course, with ... [Continue reading this entry]

Mexicans and Americans

Saturday, January 24th, 2015
LOL
A boat was docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village. A tourist complimented the local fishermen on the quality of their fish and... asked how long it took to catch them. "Not very long" they answered in unison. "Why didn't you stay out ... [Continue reading this entry]

OMG…70 Hours From BKK To PDX

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
The flight back to the States from Thailand included a transit through Tokyo, Japan. But it snowed in Tokyo and the Narita airport closed. Waited in Bangkok airport 12 hours for an alternate flight to Hanada airport. With her ... [Continue reading this entry]

Meanwhile In Merca

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014
Josh Cooks For Greg's Friends I get an email from Josh saying that he and Greg and Polly had a great time on Manhattan Beach California with Greg's friend Jeff, an ... [Continue reading this entry]

Oregon Thailand Hong Kong 2013-14

Saturday, November 23rd, 2013
Need new crowns on implants I got last spring while in Bangkok. Need to see my son Josh and his lovely Significant Other, Polly, in Hong Kong. And spend some time down south in Krabi Thailand with my son Doug ... [Continue reading this entry]

Weather

Thursday, May 16th, 2013
Find more about Weather in Oaxaca, MX Find more about Weather  ... <a href=[Continue reading this entry]

Oregon Coast

Saturday, March 30th, 2013
Before flying out to Las Vegas from Salem/Portland to see my eldest son, I drove a couple hours to the coast to visit my cousin, Cindy and her husband Jim who live near Waldport. They were kind enough to ... [Continue reading this entry]

Salem, Oregon 2013

Saturday, March 23rd, 2013
Won't bore anyone with the sordid details of bureaucratic busy work while holed up at Howard Johnson's Motel since March 19, 2013. However I did meet up with the few remaining old friends I have here...very fun! Tomorrow I'll drive over to ... [Continue reading this entry]

Around The World Again 2012-13

Thursday, November 8th, 2012
Well, Facebook has cut into my blogging time. But since I am living in Mexico I love to keep up with my couchsurfers and friends I have made traveling besides friends left behind in the U.S. People say they prefer ... [Continue reading this entry]

An American Mother in Mexico

Saturday, April 14th, 2012
I often encounter locals in Mexico who are quite shocked to hear that I have three sons...one in the U.S. one in Hong Kong and one in Thailand part of the year. To make it worse my husband is in ... [Continue reading this entry]

Another winter in the States I won’t do again!

Friday, December 30th, 2011
Why have I spent the last three visits in the States during the winter, I ask myself. Well, spending time with at least two of my off-spring during Christmas has a lot to do with it. But perhaps ... [Continue reading this entry]

Occupy Wall Street Transforming Consciousness

Monday, October 17th, 2011
Meltdown: The Men Who Crashed The World This is a 4 part documentary of the worldwide financial crisis and the inside story ... [Continue reading this entry]

Reflections on July 4

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
JULY 4th Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. ... [Continue reading this entry]

Self Censuring

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
I moved to Oaxaca City in 2006 to find 70,000 of the state's teachers striking in the Centro. They had been striking every year for more than 20 years to gain a minimum of educational standards for a state ... [Continue reading this entry]

Bunkered In Las Vegas

Friday, October 29th, 2010
Looks like another week holed up with my son, Greg, and my favorite sweet golden laborador, in Las Vegas. If Las Vegas is invaded I am quite certain I will survive. :) I am cooking for the freezer as is ... [Continue reading this entry]

Freedom Country

Monday, October 25th, 2010
From Klamath Falls I cross the California border...past the WWII Japanese Internment camp at Newell near Tule Lake...euphemistically called the Tule Lake War Relocation Center...and head south toward Reno Nevada. I have a blown-up photo of my father herding sheep ... [Continue reading this entry]

McDonald’s Waitress Makes My Day

Thursday, October 21st, 2010
No wonder there are so many "old people" at McDonalds! A $1.00 coffee is only 69 cents for seniors! The waitress looks up and says, you aren't a senior are you? I say yes, 66. She ... [Continue reading this entry]

A Conversation While Using McDonald’s WiFi In Klamath Falls

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
I'm back at McDonalds...pretty good latte here...cheaper than Starbucks. I'm sitting in my car using their free WiFi when a bent-over older (old sounds unkind) fellow appears at my open car window which is apparently an invitation for conversation.
Watcha ... [Continue reading this entry]

Gone Huntin’ In Klamath Falls

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
After 7 weeks in Salem Oregon taking care of a lot of unfinished business and spending time with my son Doug, who will be returning soon to Thailand to join his Thai wife, I am finally on my way back ... [Continue reading this entry]

Why Are Americans Loud

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
A bit of information about the formation of the individual and national consciousness of people in the U.S. Sorry for length, but this is mostly for people who are not "United Staters." :)) We all know that the US was settled by ... [Continue reading this entry]

Mexico Rethinks Drug Strategy

Saturday, August 14th, 2010
As death toll rises, Mexico rethinks drug war strategy By TIM JOHNSON McClatchy Newspapers MEXICO CITY | The drug war in Mexico is at a crossroads. As the death toll climbs above 28,000, President Felipe Calderon confronts growing pressure to try a different strategy ... [Continue reading this entry]

Out Of A Job? Sign UP Here!

Friday, July 9th, 2010
The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Arturo Rodriguez
www.colbertnation.com
[Continue reading this entry]

Surreal Senility Or Sneaky Sane?

Sunday, June 13th, 2010
3brashinappropriate.jpg This cartoon originally appeared on womensEnews.org.  Check out more of the New Yorker cartoonist's work at lizadonnelly.com ("How I Do and Don't want to be Helen Thomas.") and on her [Continue reading this entry]

What A Good Friend Will Do

Sunday, May 30th, 2010
My extraordinary friend Lyn Horine put flowers on my parents' graves for Memorial Day because I wasn't there! And she didn't even know them! may27-10-hunt-600-x-450.jpg

Back Home in Oaxaca

Saturday, May 29th, 2010
Whew!  What a ride! A week in Vegas, a month in Salem Oregon, a week in Hong Kong, 5 months in Thailand (4 in Bangkok and a month on Koh Samui) a week in Hong Kong again, 2 weeks in ... [Continue reading this entry]

Last Day In Vegas

Friday, May 28th, 2010
Yesterday got my glasses replaced that son Greg's new yellow labrador puppy ate. Puppy? At 16 weeks he's huge...but oh so loving! And he's so cute when he carries his own leish in his mouth when we go for walks. ... [Continue reading this entry]

Video Skype Mishap

Monday, May 24th, 2010
You can just imagine the look on my son Josh's face in Hong Kong today as my chair collapsed out from under me in Las Vegas as I disappeared from view in his skype video frame! He he. Fell on ... [Continue reading this entry]

1964 LBJ Daisy TV AD

Monday, May 24th, 2010
Embedding is disabled but remember this LBJ election TV ad when Johnson ran against Barry Goldwater in 1964?  It ran only once and then was banned.

Normal In Las Vegas

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
Had an outside lunch with son Greg, his Punjabi surgeon friend, Jody, and his wife Heather, and Greg Smith who was a classmate of Greg's in high school. Playing with Val, Greg's 16 month old yellow lab who is constantly underfoot.  ... [Continue reading this entry]

Me In Las Vegas

Thursday, May 20th, 2010
After a week in Hong Kong,  just in time to avoid the worst of the burning of Bangkok just up the road from Sukhumvit 20 where I was staying, I flew to Portland Oregon with a transfer in San Francisco ... [Continue reading this entry]

A Month in the States on the Way to Asia

Sunday, October 18th, 2009
 This mainly for fam and friends... Flew into Las Vegas from Oaxaca the end of September to spend a few days with my oldest son, Greg.  Always a big treat.  My old U.S. Samsung flip phone was on it's last legs ... [Continue reading this entry]

Response To The Wingnuts

Sunday, September 13th, 2009
Salon.com had an article this morning on the NY Times best seller list that puts the far right-wing into a broader perspective.http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2009/09/12/rightwing_bestsellers/?source=newsletterIt begins:
"For the past nine months, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Prescription Numbers To Consider

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
While you are pointing fingers at our health care, consider this: 1/3 of all prescriptions by a doctor ever get filled...which means that 2/3 of all people who get prescriptions never even go to the pharmacy Of the 1/3 of people who get ... [Continue reading this entry]

Wingnut Radio

Friday, July 17th, 2009
How any reasonable person who reads can believe this stuff is beyond me.

Alternative 4th of July by X

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

What Mexico Needs From Obama

Monday, April 13th, 2009
The LA Times has an opinion piece this morning entitled "What Mexico Really Needs From Obama" written by John M. Ackerman who is a professor at the Institute for Legal Research at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and ... [Continue reading this entry]

U.S. Arms Flow Into Mexico

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder visit Mexico Thursday to meet with their counterparts.

The Christian Science Monitor has this story blaming gun shows and subsequent smuggling into Mexico for the proliferation of guns in Mexico...which ... [Continue reading this entry]

“Gang-Rape of the American Dream”

Monday, March 23rd, 2009
Best article yet on the financial crisis.  Tells it like it all came down...in great detail.  I can see it all now. Rollingstone.com

The Big Takeover

The global economic crisis isn't about money - it's about power. How Wall Street insiders ... [Continue reading this entry]