Left: I love flowers although in autumn we don't have as many as in springtime.
Right: My dentist wanted to do a root canal on my visit this morning, but I am not convinced. I rather pay out-of-pocket a "special introductory" offer for "new patients" with another dentist for a second opinion (about $80) before agreeing to it. The root canal itself is covered 80% by Delta Dental Insurance (deltadentalins.com)


Getting closer to 90, I am wondering how much longer I will be able to go hiking with my pups. The downs and ups are getting increasingly more difficult, mostly due to partially torn muscles and tendons in my left hip. In the evenings, I am already just walking around the block. My pups love it, and I need it to keep me going. Walking does not include my arms. So when I get home, I am using my six-piece mini gym to keep my arms in shape. BTW, once the winter rains start around Thanksgiving, the brown and yellow behind me will quickly turn to lush green till next May, or so.

For the last 55 years, my healthcare provider has been Kaiser Permanente (kp.org) mostly at the Riverside Medical Center:
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/southern-california/facilities/riverside-medical-center-100062
After I retired from work at a college, I stayed with Kaiser being covered by my wife's employer; while exploring with Medicare a few other healthcare facilities. OK, Kaiser is not perfect, but it's better than the other places I explored. Easy to change doctors, almost always I can obtain a doctor appointment for the same day (although not with my own PCP,) no paperwork, easy communication with my PCP by email. able to obtain a free second opinion with a different physician, etc. Most of my dozen-plus surgeries I had here, although my prostate Da Vinci one was in Los Angeles.
The main building as seen from the 6 level parking garage with plenty of free EV charging stations; and on the right side is a row of free exercise equipment. Kaiser is an almost complete healthcare provider, all under one roof. On my today's visit, I attended a Medicare seminar because my wife is contemplating to retire from teaching at age 70. When she does, then we will have to switch from private insurance coverage to the government Medicare insurance.

