Month: March 2026

A Broken System

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

This is the inevitable fact of aging… we are going to need health care. It does not matter how many squats you do or how much broccoli you eat, it you live long enough you will need to access the healthcare system. I have worked in healthcare my entire adult career and I have seen enormous changes over the years. An appendectomy used to require an incision, and a five day stay at the hospital. Now it is done with a scope, and you go home the same day. Advances in healthcare have been amazing and will continue to benefit us. On the other hand, healthcare has also declined – often referred to as a broken system.

Put on your best old geezer voice and say, “well… it wasn’t like that back in the old days.”

My recent rub with a broken system

A few weeks ago, I needed to go to urgent care for a minor issue. I checked in with the friendly clerk who was having trouble with the computer system. I knew I was in for a long haul when I looked around the waiting room and realized I would be about the 9th person to be seen.

You see a very raw cross section of humanity in emergency and urgent care waiting rooms. After all, everyone seeks healthcare at some point. We often insulate ourselves in our little world of friends and family – people who have similar values and lifestyles as us. But a waiting room throws all of humanity together, when they are not feeling their best, in a little enclosed box.

Two people were in masks and coughing. Then in walks an older woman with matted hair, coughing and hacking. She was clearly ill. When asked to wear a mask, she waived it off. The clerk firmly told her she needed to if she wanted to be seen, so the woman held a mask up loosely over her face while germs spewed out the sides. I am not here to debate COVID or requiring people to wear masks. I will leave that for people with tougher skin than me. I am just suggesting that we respect other human beings and try not to spread our germs.

After a two hour wait, I was seen by a competent nurse practitioner (NP) who was clearly overloaded. My visit was quick once I was finally seen and I was grateful to get out of there without catching something else. I recovered and then about a week later, I sadly found myself back in an ER waiting room.

My 2nd rub with a broken system

Shortly after my experience at the quick care, I received that dreaded late night phone call. My sister was on the other end of the line and said dad was headed to the E.R. I have written about my dad several times: Tucked Away up North, Heading to the Hills, The Great Columbia River Gorge, and Two Words to Maintain Your Health. He is one of the good ones.

He was the rock of my childhood and has been our entire families’ example of how to live life with integrity, wisdom, commitment, faith and a little humor sprinkled in. While my dad is 98 years old, he has been very healthy. Until recently, when the very thing he dreaded happened… he fell and broke his hip.

It was a Friday evening and the E.R. was buzzing. Patients were left on gurneys in the hallways because the beds were full. Hospital staff stopped by briefly but most whizzed past us to care for more urgent patients or were glued to their computers at the nurse’s station. As you know, it is heart breaking to see someone you love in pain, especially when you can’t do anything about it.

Like any profession, there are some excellent health care providers and some that are just there to get their paycheck. Most are friendly and competent… and all appear to be overworked. When you are ill and at your most vulnerable, you are thrown into this overstressed healthcare system. You are at the mercy of overworked healthcare providers who are trying to do their best but are spread too thin.

Once admitted to the hospital, you may have a surgeon, a hospitalist, NP or PA, and perhaps a specialist. You also have an RN, several CNAs that move in and out, a team that turns patients, one that starts the IVs, respiratory and physical therapists that tend to those specific body functions, a transport team that moves patients between units, and still another person that does the discharge planning. We were never clear on who had the overall picture. It felt like a very disjointed mix of care. And this is coming from someone who has a pretty good understanding of healthcare.

Why the system broke

People that go into healthcare do so because they want to make a difference in people’s lives. I know that was the catalyst for me. Sadly, as with most things in life, money has become the driving force in healthcare. There are too many people that are uninsured and those that are do not have much control. The insurance companies and Medicare determine which providers you can see (in network), what tests are allowed (i.e. what they will cover), how long a patient can stay in the hospital, and ultimately the number of staff a hospital can afford. Litigation has also driven up costs, which includes not just the process itself, but the costs behind the scenes to monitor and prevent it, as well as the common practice of defensive medicine.

Many competent people left the healthcare professions during COVID, deciding it was not worth the heartache and risk. Those that stayed were then short staffed. This increases workplace stress, medical errors and burnout. The main reason people leave the healthcare profession is not because they suddenly do not like their chosen profession, but because they cannot provide the kind of care that was the very reason they went into the profession to start with. It is a broken system that affects all of us.

Healing

The healthcare system is very complicated with thousands of moving parts. The upside is that technological advances continue to improve it. But more importantly, the broken system is made up of many wonderful healthcare providers who are doing their best. Healing comes from competent people who truly care about their patients. My dad’s surgery went well, and he is in the slow process of healing, thanks to some very skilled providers.

On a happier note, March madness is in full swing. My team fell out in the second round of the Big Dance, so now I am rooting for Arizona. Go Wildcats! I am still hopeful that my bracket will stay strong in the family bracket competition so I can get some of that money back from my kids that I put into braces, sports camps and college tuition. 😊

In early March we traveled down to Las Vegas with my brother and SIL to see the Zags win the WCC Tournament.
While we were there, we went to see The Wizard of Oz at Sphere. It was a magical experience.

And… I think spring might finally be on the way. The days are getting longer, and the daffodils are getting ready to bloom. Hope rises.

Signs of spring.

Lights Out

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

Our favorite weather saying in the PNW is, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.” That is especially true in March and April. I can’t complain, because we’ve had a relatively mild winter this year. But just when we were thinking about crocuses popping up, we got hit with high winds and our worst snowstorm of the year. Of course, it happens when Mr. U is out of town.

The night the lights went out

Mr. U and I had been on a short trip, and I was flying back early. My flight was delayed several hours so I ended up not getting home until 2:00 a.m. during a high windstorm. (Just for the record, I HATE turbulence in a plane.) Branches broke, trees snapped and the wind gusts made it a challenge to keep my car on the road while driving home from the airport. When I pulled around the corner into the bay, I noticed that it was exceptionally dark. None of the neighbors had their lights on. Hum.

Inevitably, the wind had knocked the electricity out. Now I had to enter a dark house that was still fairly new to me, in the middle of the pitch-black night during a powerful windstorm. I pulled into the driveway and sat in my car while I considered my options. Earlier in the evening, my sister texted me about the storm and offered to have me stay with her. I was wishing I had taken her up on her offer at this point. I considered getting a hotel, but I don’t even know if you can check into a hotel in the middle of the night. Nope. I just needed to put on my big girl panties and go into the dark house with my cell phone light that had a low battery. It was cold and scary. Your imagination can get carried away in the dark of the night.

Fortunately, I keep a lot of candles (both real and battery operated) around the house.

I was able to get a couple candles lit to find my way around the house and was relieved to find that there were no boogeymen lurking in the closet or under the bed. (You never outgrow some fears.) I piled every blanket I could find on the bed and listened to the wind howl outside before I fell into a fitful sleep. When I woke up in the morning the lights were back on and the heat was pumping through the house. It lasted for a full day and then we got a snowstorm and out went the electricity again. This time for 24 hours.

24 hours off the grid

You do not realize how much you use electricity until you do not have it. Fortunately, our gas fireplaces work without electricity, so I was able to keep the house reasonably warm. The first several hours I was totally frustrated. I kept flipping on switches, forgetting that it would not do anything, and turning on the faucet that could not produce water.

I went to the store to stock up on water, batteries and some food that did not need to be cooked. Then I called Mr. U to complain. There was no running water, no lights, no heat, no internet, no T.V. and you can’t even charge your phone, Kindle, or laptop. We are way too dependent on our devices. Once I accepted all of this, I settled in.

A cozy, peaceful evening at home off the grid.

Turns out we don’t need all of those electric devices to enjoy an evening at home. It was cozy and oh so quiet. I have a couple little chargeable lights that cast a nice glow. Between those and the candlelight, I was able to settle in under a blanket and spent the evening reading and writing by hand. My blood pressure dropped, my heartbeat slowed and my soul was able to catch up with my body. It was exactly what I needed. There is peace in the pause that we seldom allow ourselves time to lean into.

It was so nice to have a couple of these little rechargeable touch lights. Note to self, keep them charged in the winter.

Back in the ole days

When I was a kid, growing up in this very spot we now live, the electricity was guaranteed to go out every winter… several times. We got more snow and colder temps. back then. I specifically remember one year when I was around seven years old, and the electricity went out for five days. I thought it was magical to sit by the fire and read by candlelight. I imagined myself to be Laura Ingalls Wilder from the Little House on the Prairie books that I devoured. The one negative that I remember is that the porcelain toilet seat was really, really cold! I am quite sure my mom and dad remember a lot more negatives.

I can’t imagine having the electricity out that long with five kids at home. They pulled out the camp stove, put blankets over doorways and stocked up on water, firewood and candles. No battery-operated lights or candles in those days. We did not miss our electronic devices either since there weren’t any to miss, other than the T.V. and radio. (I am starting to sound really old.)

Maybe we need more nights off the grid

I guess I forgot how much our electronic devices control our brains… until I didn’t have them for 24 hours. It shocked me how restless I was at first. I was anxious and wondering what I was going to do for a whole night. But once the quiet took over and settled into my bones, I felt such peace. I would not recommend coming home from a trip at 2:00 a.m. in a windstorm to find your soul. But maybe we should schedule a no devices day every week. Kind of like a sabbath from electronic devices and social media. Could I do it consistently? Could you?

Being without electricity is a good excuse to stay in bed a little longer and enjoy a slow morning.

Cheers to the retirement years!

Leftovers From the Staff of Life

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

Last week I wrote a post about The Staff of Life. Fresh bread, made without preservatives, will get stale sooner than white plastic bread from the grocery store shelf. But don’t be too quick to throw stale bread out… it makes delicious croutons.

Toasting up some croutons from leftover rolls.

One of the benefits of being retired is having more time to pay attention to the little things. Things that make your life cozier and more gratifying. For me, one of those is making my own croutons. They are quick, easy and taste so much better than store bought. Besides, there is something very satisfying about using food up in new ways instead of throwing it away.

Croutons are simple to make. You just cube dried bread, toss with a little olive oil (and/or melted butter) and some seasonings. Lay them out on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper and bake. Viola! You have croutons to sprinkle over a salad or toss in a bowl of soup for a little crunch.

Below is my favorite crouton recipe. It is an extra step when you sauté the garlic instead of just using garlic salt, but it does add a better flavor. If you don’t want to use butter, you can use olive oil or some combination of both. Either way, they are good.

Not that you need a recipe to make croutons, but this is my favorite.

The croutons last quite a while in an airtight container. But, if you have more than you can use, just crush some of them up and use as toasted breadcrumbs for some of your favorite dishes.

When you are cooking for just one or two people, the leftovers seem to pile up. (Except wine.) Like you, I hate wasting food. It makes me feel over indulged and I have visions of the poor starving kids in third world countries. So, I am always on the lookout for creative ways to use up leftovers. If you have any that you like to use, please share them in the comments.

Cheers to the retirement years!

The Staff of Life

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

It is winter here in the north. The temperatures hover in the low 30’s and we often wake up to a blanket of snow. It is the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up by the fire and read. It is also the kind of weather that calls for a big pot of homemade soup and a slice of warm bread. Except that, apparently bread is public enemy number one now. Cottage cheese used to be, but it is in style again.

Bread has been given a bum rap. Who doesn’t love a slice of warm bread, fresh out of the oven, with a little butter slathered on top? Now people act like you are trying to poison them if you offer them a dinner roll. But the next morning they will eat a stack of pancakes. Hum…

Long ago, bread was considered the staff of life. It has been a staple of the human diet since biblical times. Back when bread was hearty. But slowly, starting in the early 20th century, white bread came into the picture. That is when bread transitioned from a whole grain product to a highly processed loaf of chemicals; all designed to decrease costs and increase shelf life. And people bought in fully. Factory made sliced bread became a huge convenience for people. After all, you have heard the sayings, “it is the best thing since sliced bread.”

A childhood with homemade bread

My mom made almost everything from scratch. We ate from my dad’s garden, our freezer was full of beef from a friend’s small cattle ranch, and my mom preserved peaches, pears and jam for the winter months. My siblings and I remember the big crock of “housewife pickles” sitting in the cupboard. We lived eating organic food long before it was in style. Ultra-processed food was rare at our home growing up. I am quite sure that is a large part of why my siblings and I are experiencing robust, health in retirement.

Every week, without fail, my mom made a huge batch of homemade bread. She would move through the kitchen with ease, tossing ingredients together, rolling and folding dough, while the local radio station played in the background. We had a couple miniature bread pans tucked away in the cupboard and sometimes I would get to knead a little chunk of dough and make my own mini loaf of bread. My mouth was drooling and my heart was bursting with pride when she pulled that little golden loaf out of the oven.

If we were lucky, bread baking day included warm rolls for dinner that night and cinnamon rolls, dripping with frosting, the next morning. My siblings and I clamored and argued over who got the cinnamon rolls with the soft, gooey centers… back before white flour became enemy number one.

When son #1 was home this winter he made homemade cinnamon rolls (left) and raspberry rolls with cream cheese frosting (right). Apparently, he inherited my mom’s baking skills. Soooo good.

Homemade bread was a treat hot out of the oven at home. Not so much in the brown sack lunches we carried to school the rest of the week. Oh, it was still delicious, but those chunky uneven slices of bread with leftover beef and a slice of cheese (not Velveeta) weren’t “cool.” Thin slices of Wonder bread were cool. My slice of homemade cake wrapped in wax paper was not as cool as a pre-wrapped Hostess cupcake either. I would try desperately to trade it for a Twinkie or Ding Dong. We did not know what we had back then. What I wouldn’t give to have a slice of my mom’s homemade bread today.

How did bread get a bad reputation?

Industrialization ruined bread, as it has done to many foods. Flour was refined, bleached and stripped of all of its’ nutrients and fiber. Then conditioners and preservatives were added, and the dough was “enriched” with some of the nutrients that were lost in the refining process. Time went on and people began craving this soft, white sliced plastic bread that would last on your shelf for weeks before it got moldy.

Then came the low carb diet craze and bread was viewed as one of the “bad” foods, thanks to factory produced sliced white bread. It is high in the kind of carbs that cause a quick rise in your blood sugar (one of the top culprits on the Glycemic Index). Common, factory produced white bread has too many calories and not enough fiber, vitamins and minerals. Of course, this is because processing of the wheat kernel took all of that out of it. Then they tried to put it back in. Ridiculous when you think of it.

Making your own bread is satisfying and then you can control the ingredients that go into it.
My favorite bread recipe, can you tell? You can adjust the ratio of white to whole wheat flour however you like.

Ways to still enjoy the staff of life

If you love bread but have been depriving yourself of it, you can stop. We do not need to eliminate bread from a healthy diet (unless you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy). There are several ways to include bread in your diet without guilt. The first option is to eat mostly whole grain. Whole wheat bread has retained most of the wheat kernel’s valuable nutrients and fiber. It causes a much slower release of sugar into the blood stream.

If you don’t like whole grain bread, consider sourdough instead. I am sure you have seen all of the beautiful loaves of homemade sourdough bread on the internet. It has become a popular hobby. While sourdough bread is made with white flour, the sourdough starter creates a lower glycemic index in the bread, which makes it a healthier option than regular sliced white bread.

Another consideration is to eat some protein when you have bread. I know, protein is all the craze now. But if you eat it with bread, the protein will help slow digestion which prevents that quick spike in blood sugar.

Also, I recently learned that freezing your bread before you eat it tends to lower the glycemic index. Apparently, the process of freezing it causes “starch retrogradation.” Bonus if you freeze it, thaw it and then toast it (more starch retrogradation). Good news for homemade bread since it does not have all of the preservatives in it to increase the shelf life. Just keep it in the freezer and pull out as needed.

The final key to eating bread is to enjoy it… in Moderation. Almost anything can be unhealthy for you if you eat too much of it. Life is short… enjoy the bread!