Thanks. Canada has single payer universal healthcare. The worst possible model given the demographics and immigration situation. European models are a blend. There was a time many Canadians (which I am) were smug about the Canadian healthcare model. I remember the political left in this country fear-mongering that the right wanted to introduce “American-style healthcare.” Fortunately that smugness has disappeared as our system is imploding. When it came to brain surgery, waiting rather than going abroad was wise as the neurosurgeon was renowned. Shifting gears, Michael J Fox has said having Parkinson’s is a gift. I get it. It teaches you to number your days, to be thankful for what dexterity and physical abilities you have. After adjusting to the diagnosis, I got physically fit. Having three kids no longer means being at the gym or pool 5-6 days a week. But before kids I got healthy to the point of doing sprint triathlons. I was paradoxically getting sicker but also healthier and more fit in my late 30s than my early 20s. I can run, bike, and swim when the meds are on, but I conversely can no longer swing a hammer, I can barely write my name, nor do much with what was my dominant hand that requires dexterity. And I can now relate to the slurring, cluttered speech of Biden at times—not the mental confusion. But the action of speaking is affected. Makes me think there’s Parkinsonism in his case. That, and he often has what’s called a masked face or reptilian stare, where it’s difficult to move the muscles in your face to express yourself.

It may be close but I agree TT-SEA

1st shade of grey!!

Now I’m remembering how long that snow stuck around even in Seattle…with all the melting and refreezing it kind of turned into a mini glacier for a few days. The roads were solid ice, and super bumpy to drive on from all the divots made by other cars! It didn’t fully melt until like New Years.