Flu Shot "Blues"

So: I was bitching off to a couple of pals about how 'absolutely delighted' I was to find out that my health insurance, a major carrier, no longer covers the cost of flu shots at the standard flu shot hangouts like CVS, Walgreens, Minute Clinics, etc.

They do cover the cost IF you go to your primary care doctor- BUT with their changes they made last year, I don't have the yearly 2 free check ups, and I haven't made my deductible which is now $1,400 (not long ago it was $500).
I am grateful that this year I have not surpassed my deductible in medical bills, yet I am not going to pay $130 to a doctor to get a 'free' flu shot, and a doc-in-da-box would charge $50 with my insurance.
Soooo, the best I could do was pay the entire cost of the flu shot at CVS which was $39.99, but you get a $5.00 off of $20.00 coupon and that just makes it all better. *cough*
I scratched around the internet to find that Costco offering the flu shot for $19.99, I filled out the online appointment form and ran over there like I was out of Kirkland's sea-salt dark chocolate.
The folks were very nice and I told the clerk why I was there and she nodded her head saying, "We've had so many come in with that insurance and have to explain why it's no longer free. It's so sad."
She told me that folks do not need a Costco membership to get the flu shot, however the price is $24.99 if you don't have a membership, $19.99 if you do. (I'm no 'mathematic' but that's still $15 bucks cheaper and better than a $5.00 off coupon)
Pals-
If you are like me and considering getting a flu shot but don't have proper health insurance coverage, please look into Costco. *And pick me up some sea salt dark chocolate while you're there.
THANKS!
Love and well-health wishes from Ello

Frances "Sissy" Farenthold 10/2/26-09/26/21

I had the honor of talking to Frances "Sissy" Farenthold a few times as I had met her through a very good friend of hers that was a very good friend of mine. The Houston Chronicle called her, "The Lodestar for Texas Liberals", she was that and so much more. Of her many accomplishments, she was the first woman to become a congresswoman in Texas in 1968, and she also co-sponsored the Texas Equal Rights Amendment which passed in 1972.

One evening in the middle of a cocktail party, I found Sissy sitting quietly by herself, sipping a much deserved libation, probably needing a break from all of the folks swarming around her to get a few minutes of her time and amazing company, but I couldn't resist, I had to talk to her. Our conversation went like this-

Me: Hi, Sissy, I'm Ello, I'm Robert's friend.

Sissy, Well, of course I know you, how are you?

Me: I'm well, and I know you're busy, but I wanted to thank you.

Sissy smiled and patted the empty seat next to her for me to sit.

Me: My mom and dad got married and moved from Colorado to Texas in the 70's. my mom told me that when she went to the local DMV to get Texas' licenses plates for her car, the clerk informed her that she couldn't get the plates changed without her husband's name on the car title. My mom explained that she had bought the car with her own money, before she had even met my father. The car had always belonged to her. The clerk told her that it didn't matter, because in Texas, the husband owned all of the property, so she had to get my dad's name on her car title and then come back to get Texas license plates for the car she bought but no longer owned. My mother was floored, but she did as she was instructed. She told me that you, Sissy, were one of the reasons with your work in the Texas legislature, that the law in Texas of husband-ownership is no longer the law. I had no idea that was even a real thing, and it wasn't that long ago, I can't believe that was actually the law. So, I wanted to thank you for that, thank you for my basic rights that I feel I took for granted growing up in Texas. Again, I had no idea. 

Sissy: (finished chewing her hor'dourve during my nervous-chatty-epilogue and smiled) Well, Ello, you are welcome. But you see, that's why we did it. We did it so you and the younger generations wouldn't have to know about that law. Ya'll having no idea about those laws and the treatment of women back then was our goal, and I'm glad it's worked out that way. We still have some bumps to smooth out, but I'm glad you told me this, and tell your mom she's more than welcome as well. 

Me: (I wanted to talk to her for hours but I wanted to give her a moment of space.) Okay, well, thanks Sissy, and can I get you a refill on your drink?

Sissy: Please. Oh, and some more of those pecan bites, please.

*Sissy gave me/us equality in Texas and I have her pecan bites in New York City. Fair trade. 😀

Godspeed Sissy. Thank you so much for your bravery, brilliance, and kind heart. You passed away at 94 but never stopped in your fight for equality and justice. 

Sissy Farenthold Texas Monthly

It's only been 8ish years since...

 I've posted on this blog.

WOW. 

I wanted to see if this blog was still online and update it and also announce that www.elloblack.com is up and running. It's good to be back. I missed you!

Happy Anniversary of an Unhappy Date

I've had some great years in health, I've had some okay years in health, I've had some bad years in health, and I've had some scary-ass painful years in health. This past year was on of them. I wrote this to celebrate the one year anniversary of finding out I had a scary ass health condition after I thought I was through the gates.
So it was a year ago today. After everything. I am here. 
Here is a journal page I wrote that night. I am so grateful to all Ellopals for the amazing support. It really has been a year. I am grateful. 
--------------------------------------------------> 
Today sucked. Just sucked. I am really, really in trouble. Today sucked.
Fucked up Friday.
I don’t know what to do. What am I going to do?
I feel so selfish. I want to focus on my sadness that Dr. Towler passed away.
All of my father figures have officially gone home.
But all I can do is think about what another doctor told me today.
Today sucked. That is all. As Scarlett said, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.”
--------
3 am. A clack and thud at the door.
I was actually relaxed and ready for a deep sleep. It was onset. It was deserved.
Someone was actually stupid enough to try to break in.
Adrenaline counteracted my exhaustion as I lunged out of bed.
Any other time I would be afraid.
My only thought as I grabbed onto make-shift guard rails, lugging my busted leg down the hallway-
*You better have every intent on killing me mother-fucker, because when I open this door, I have every intent on killing you. I am going to fuck you up so bad- your own crack whore of a mother won’t be able to identify you*
Which was a very mean thought. Because if his mother was a crack whore, she probably couldn’t identify him anyway. Also, why was I being sexist? Maybe it's a woman. Lot’s of women would want to kill me too. Probably a line outside.
I swung the door open. Ready to ‘meat’ whatever trouble was out there.
It was the trash pick up.
The waste can was what knocked on my door as the bag was removed, catching on the plastic lid.
I felt my cheeks flushed from anger swirl into an embarrassed blush.
I closed the door as quietly as I could. Hoping the guys didn’t see me. Their job is tough enough without being tubby-terrorized.
Went back to bed. Took a moment to write this down.
Side effect of anxiety-chem-trails was a clearer head and time to write something.
So I did.

Un-Manageable Office Manager

(This next tirade does NOT apply to my doctor and business owning ellopals- your teams and office-staff are awesome!)

Had to call this doctor's office I went to once for what the hell referral of who gives a damn bill I got that I had a quick question on- girl answers- I politely identify myself and ask for the billing department- girl identifies herself as the billing department- I tell her I am not sure why I am being billed outside of my co-pay- she retorts, "It's clearly stated in your bill." I am a little taken aback but I'm still cool, I don't know what its like to have 4 babies by 3 different fathers and not yet be 25, so I cut her some slack and I just politely try to ask again for a bill breakdown as to why these tests or whatever weren't covered in the initial appointment co-pay--- wow, just wow--- this chick went off like a pretty, peroxide troll on Fox News. 

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to piss me off? You really have to try, 4 stars for effort. 

But I surprised myself that I didn't unleash the Tubby-Kraken as I've been known to do when such an event occurs. Instead, I take a breath and say, "Let me speak to the doctor. Let me talk to him now, or I will come down to your office and speak to him in person and neither one of us wants that." And to my surprise, the amateur-adult film star did just that. The doctor answered-I politely identified myself and why I wanted to speak to him regarding said outburst and before he could respond I say, "Look, Doc, I don't want to waste any more of your time or mine on this, I just want to tell you, I don't really remember you, so I can't expect you to remember me. I was in tumorland, I was already scared when I first got the news, then when put into a swirl of doctors, treatments, insurance paperwork, spiked fevers, projectile vomiting and financial concerns- I was terrified. And then I didn't tell any of my closest friends how truly afraid I was because I didn't want them to worry. I guess you are the first and only person I've really told. Hmmm. Anyway, I'm fine now, BUT you need to know, really hear me, Sir, when you hire a dumbass, your patients or potential patients will perceive you as such, and when you hire an asshole to answer your phones, you will be thought of as an asshole, Sir. And even though I don't really remember you, I don't think you are either, because I would have remembered if you were. So please Sir, don't hire a receptionist who gets irritated when she has to stop looking in a mirror trying to cover up her mouth herpes and re-glue her eye lashes to answer the phone...(deep breath) Thank you, Doctor for everything, all the best. I will send a check for this bill immediately. 'click'.

Phone rang twice after but I was too busy pacing but trying not to rupture sutures to cool out. Calm now. Gotta go put a doctor's bill in the mail and then have some fun on Yelp! Thank you for your time in reading this angst novella. Love, Ello

New- Ello Black Podcast

Hi Pals!

Happy 2015!

In anticipation of my new book release, I have a new podcast. I say new, I've never had one before- so I guess it's new, NEW.

Please check it out! You can go to podomatic or find it on Itunes. Please search Ello Black under the Itunes store search, or you can click here https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ellos-podcast/id619431364?mt=2

Looking forward to so many things! Hope you are all well!
Happy New Year to you and yours from Ello Black.

Hooray for the Goodreads Giveaway Winners

Hey there Ellopals,

Long time- no blog.

Goodreads.com recently had a Goodreads free copy of my book giveaway--- and the winners are---


 Krista S., Daniel M., and Jolene F.!! 


Congratulations!!! Your paperback copies of Hooray for Me: a Foggy Memoir are on their way to you. I really hope you enjoy them.

And everyone, get ready--- because my next art of words is on it's way to publishing bliss!

I will let you know when--- and it will be SOON!! Thanks for your support!!!! I'll post again--- before the next solstice.